Serpents don’t fall easily- except for you - Choi San
Based on this ask. Okay, anyway; I love good idea's, and this is one of them. Expect some time jumps while I jump from year to year. ALSO IT'S SO LONG IM SORRY!
Pairing: Slytherin!San x Hufflepuff!Reader
Tags: Slytherin!San (a warning by itself), GN!reader, jealous San, Reader is a muggleborn, cursing, stupid kids in love, blood, kissing. Oblivious San. SLOWWW BURN
This is the continuation of a story of these scenarios! Read that one first!
"Okay, darling, are you ready? Packed everything?"
"Will you write us when you arrive? Let us know in which house you are, okay?"
"We don't care in which house you get sorted into, I mean- I would be proud if you got into Slytherin, of course, like the rest of our-" A slap on the arm from his wife got him to shut up.
"We don't care in what house you get sorted into, baby," his mother said gently, caressing his hair. "If you get into Slytherin like your dad, or into Ravenclaw like me, or in hufflepuff or Gryffindor, we don't care, right?!" she gave her husband a sharp look, and he shook his head quickly.
"Don't care at all!" he said quickly. "We're always proud of you," San smiled, dimples shining.
"Now, get on the train, darling. Chop, chop," His parents ushered him to the entrance of the train, making him get up quickly. "Have fun!"
"Behave yourself! Don't blow up toilets like your mother and- ouch!" San chuckled as his mother gave his dad another slap on the arm, giving him a sharp look.
The train started moving, and San waved to his parents until they were out of sight. He adjusted his robes, he'd already changed before, and walked to the compartment where he'd stored his things. When he opened the door, he froze, seeing another student in there. You froze too, staring at him.
"Sorry!" you said quickly, grabbing your back. "I didn't know someone was already in here, I'm-"
"No problem!" San smiled. "It's not like it's a private compartment. You can stay here!" He walked in, falling down on the opposite side of you. He looked at you, eyes scanning your outfit. You weren't wearing your uniform yet, just the casual muggle attire they had to wear outside of school. Your muggle clothes looked much realistic then his, his dad always chose the wrong combinations, and his mom would get a little aggitated. "Your muggle clothes are so well chosen!" he complimented. "Where did you get them? Florish and botts? They have such a small section of muggle clothes," You looked at him, looking at your clothes.
"Yeah, duh! I get that, but where? Where in Diagon ally?"
"Oh? Is there another wizarding robes store I didn't know about?" San asked. You chuckled, shaking your head.
"It's- I just bought them in a store close to my house. No wizarding store." you explained. "These are muggle clothes,"
"Oh, that's daring to go to a muggle store as a wizard," San continued, smiling. "That's so cool!"
"I- well, it wasn't "daring" for me," you explained. "Until a few weeks back I thought I was just- me. And I didn't know I was a- magic wielding person." San blinked at you.
"Oh! Your parents are muggles?"
"Oh, that's a name we use for non-magical people," San explained. "That's so cool! So you were a muggle!"
"That's so cool!" San looked at you for a few more seconds, before gasping. "I'm sorry- I didn't even introduce myself!" His mother would actually kill him if she found out. "I'm Choi San, nice to meet you," he shook your hand, smiling widely.
You laughed, shaking your head.
"Can I- I don't want to be impolite, but- I'm not really used to muggles, or muggleborn witches or wizards, can I ask you some questions?"
"Are you a pureblood?" you asked, tilting your head, looking up and down at the young boy.
"Half-blood!" he smiled. "My mom is a half-blood but my dad is pureblood. But I was raised in a wizarding way, so I don't know anything about muggleborns."
"That's so cool! Can I ask you questions too?"
That's how you and San talked all the time in the hogwarts express. You talked, and talked, and talked, and almost forgot you had to change into your school robes. Like the gentleman he was, San walked out, without you having to ask, making sure the curtains stayed in front of the windows as he waited in front of the doors.
When the train arrived at hogwarts, the two of you continued talking, and even when in the boats, it continued. After the eternal shock and amasement of the beautiful castle in sight, the two of you, surprise, continued talking.
"So, what house do you want to get into?" You asked, holding onto the lamp in the boat. "Do you have a preference?" San shook his head.
"My dad's family was almost all Slytherin," he shrugged. "But my mom was a ravenclaw, I don't really care in which house I get into." He looked at you.
"And you?" he asked. "Do you have a preference?"
"I've heard some... things about Slytherin which makes me not want to get into that," you mumbled, cheeks heating up at the confession. "I don't want to offend your family, but-"
"It's okay," San said quickly. "But not all wizards in Slytherin are bad! Like my dad," You chuckled, smiling at him. "You- you would still talk to me, right?" You tilted your head, raising your eyebrow. "If I got into Slytherin... You'd still talk to me, right?"
"I cannot imagine how you would be Slytherin," you laughed. "But yes, I still would talk to you, don't worry." San smiled, looking at you.
"You sound very Hufflepuff," he laughed. "I think you'll get into that."
"I don't know! Why not, I guess?"
You were trembling when you stood in front of the hat, together with the other first years. You stood close to San, with him being the only one who you'd really talked to and liked to talk to. After the song from the sorting hat and a speech from professor Dumbledoor, McGonagall announced that she'd call the names in alphabetical order.
"Have fun at the feast," San whispered, nudging you. "If- if we don't get into the same house."
"But I want to be in the same house as you," you mumbled, looking at him with wide eyes.
"I hope we're going to be!" San smiled. He opened his mouth to say something else, but then the first name got called.
San froze for a moment. He had not expected to be the first one to get sorted. He cleared his throat, getting a nudge in the back from you to walk to the front. He walked to the stool, careful not to trip over his robes, and sat down. McGonagall lowered the hat onto his head, making it fall over his eyes. He could imagine you chuckling at the probably ridiculous sight.
"Hm... Choi San..." the voice of the sorting hat sounded throught his ears. "you're an intresting case... yes... A century of Slytherin's, but a century of Ravenclaws too... Intresting, very intresting... I can see... wit, see cunning, but also see a lot of ambition, a lot of pride... Hm... quite a choice, quite a choice... Let's see... don't let your houses stereotype form you, don't every do so, Choi San... Well then, got that in your head...? Good, good, better be... Slytherin!"
When the hat got pulled of his head, he saw the entire Slytherin table jump up and cheer loudly, the first pupil to get sorted, was Slytherin. San smiled, hopping off the stool and walking toward the table. He turned, meeting your gaze. You smiled, bouncing on your heels as you clapped for him. San couldn't contain his smile when he sat down, getting a pat on the shoulder from a second year slytherin, congratulating him on getting into his house.
San was fidgeting with his sleeve as the names continued.
"Jung Wooyoung," A Gryffindor.
The young boy looked a little confused for a moment when McGonagall patted him on the shoulder, but when he walked to the table, a student whispered in his ear. Presumably telling him that she was the head of Gryffindor house.
"Kang Yeosang," A Ravenclaw.
His smile crinkled his eyes, bowing his head to McGonagall before rushing to the Ravenclaw table.
"Isn't he the son of Kang Jihoon?" San asked to another first-year Slytherin as they clapped for Yeosang. "Like- the best beater that the Toyogashi Tengu ever had?"
"He must be, right?" she mumbled. "I think he retired after a few too many injuries and moved to Ireland, and then he played in the Cork Quidditch team."
"He better not be," the second year mumbled. "If he has his dad's genes then he'll kick our ass when he gets into the quidditch team next year."
San's head whipped around when your name got called. You walked up to the stool, eyes darting around as you sat down. He saw you looking at him, and he shot you a smile and thumbs up before the hat sank over your eyes.
It really looked ridiculous. He couldn't help but chuckle as he waited.
"Well, well, well, a new name, huh..." the hat spoke. "this won't be very hard... I see, I see. A lot of ambition, I can see that, but loyal- very, very loyal. Such a kind heart, such wisdome, I can see that you want to prove yourself. Yes, it's very, very clear. You'll be... Hufflepuff!"
San clapped the loudest, he liked to say, even louder then the Hufflepuff table. You walked to the Hufflepuff table, which was closest to the Slytherin table. You sat down, smiling and nodding at the other hufflepuffs who were congratulating you. You looked up, catching his eye. You smiled widely at him, and he couldn't help but smile back.
"What are you writing to?" San looked up, ready to tell the person that this seat was already taken, but when he saw you, he took his bag off the chair next to him. He had put it there for you, so nobody would sit next to him but you.
The first lessons were a blast, and San couldn't help but giggle at your face everytime when you managed to complete a spell. It was like you forgot you could do magic every time. It was hilarious to him. It had been a few weeks, and honestly, there was so much going on, that San hadn't taken the time to porperly send his parents a letter. He'd sent them one, just a short one in which he told the basics; which house he got into, how his dorm was. But now, he was describing everything in detail.
"My parents!" he smiled, showing you his long parchment. "I'm telling them about you,"
"About me?" you asked, leaning over to see what he was writing. "Why?!"
"Because you're my friend," San deadpanned, looking at you with a raised eyebrow. "Duh," You chuckled, running a hand through your hair as you looked with him.
"I'm still a little dissapointed you aren't in Hufflepuff," you complained, laying your head down on your crossed arms. "Then we could've been together!"
"I think he had a hard time sorting me," San shrugged, scratching through a few words. "He kept talking about wisdome, wit, ambition... Like he was really thinking about where to sort me. But he did say "don't let your house stereotype form you," or something like that. I don't know. I don't mind being in Slytherin."
"Ella told me about Slytherins," you mumbled, looking at San as he wrote.
"Not a lot of great things,"
San hummed, continuing to write his letter.
"But I just- can't believe it,"
"Well, you don't sound like one of those Slytherin's," you continued, looking at the black haired boy. "They all sound mean and everything. But you're so kind and sweet, I cannot imagine you being mean." San glanced at you, leaning his head on his hand.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Maybe you're just an exception to the rule," you chuckled, making San's dimple smile appear. "How are your parents?"
"My dad is also a Slytherin," San said, a fact you've heard a thousand times now. "And he acts high and mighty, but then you have my mom, and she shuts that up, immediately. She's so funny, but I wouldn't want to get her mad. She doens't get mad quickly, but if you really do something, she'll kill you." You chuckled at San's serious expression. "No, Y/N, really, she'll kill me if I do something out of line here."
"She was a Ravenclaw, right?" San nodded. "She sounds amazing, I love her already."
"Maybe you can come by during Christmas? Or will you be staying at Hogwarts?"
"You can stay at Hogwarts?!"
Christmas at Howarts was amazing. It was magical, like you'd expected, and the amount of snowball fights you had with San, Mingi, Yeosang and Wooyoung was almost crazy. You'd dragged two of your fellow Hufflepuffs along, second-year students Yunho and Seonghwa, and Wooyoung had another Gryffindor, another second year called Hongjoong, with him. You gasped when Hongjoong changed his hair, explaining how he was a metamorphus. He tried not to change it too much, because he felt a little embarrassed sometimes. But you reassured him that it wasn't weird, anything but! It was awesome and the coolest kind of magic you'd seen so far.
Yunho and Seonghwa taught you everything about Hufflepuff house and some hidden pathways, much to Seonghwa's dismay. But you were living your best life, and you loved showing San the new things you'd learned.
Around April, the homework for the exams began. It was a lot, and honestly, sometimes a little too much. You'd never seen San be "a real Slytherin" or whatever that meant. You weren't sure yourself.
But there was one day, that you could see why he might have been placed into Slytherin.
It was a day where you sat in the courtyard, together with Seonghwa, Yunho and San. You were working on some spells you had to practice for Charms, and Yunho, who had the highest exam results in Charms from all the first-years the previous year, offered to help you. He didn't even know why you were stressing so much, because you were the top of your class. San had his scarf wrapped around him, shivering in the cold wind.
"Well done!" Yunho complimented, jumping up to snatch a book out of the air you levitated. "That's amazing! Honestly, Y/N, I don't think you should worry about your exam." San smiled as he looked at you, leaning his head on his hand. You smiled widely at the compliment, thanking him profusely for helping you.
San heard a scoff form the other side of the courtyard.
"That filfthy little mudblood thinks she's all that, a little show off, but I don't think she's even allowed to have a wand," San wipped his head around, so did Seonghwa. A group of older students were standing in a group, whispering and pointing to you and then to Yunho. Your jaw dropped, tears pooling in your eyes at the insult. You hadn't shown off, at all, only tried your best. To prove to yourself that you did belong here in Hogwarts.
"Piss off, Jake," Yunho spat, turning you around not to focus on them. "Don't listen to them, Y/N, they're assholes."
"Yeah, listen to your fellow mudblood, maybe you two can make a plan to back to the other muggles, where you belong!"
San grabbed his wand, jumping up. Seonghwa panicked as he walked toward the older - and bigger - studdents, jumping up and rushing after San.
"San, San, don't, dumb idea-"
"What's your problem?!" San spat, standing close to the older students.
"My problem?!" the older student asked, a smile on his face as he looked down at San. "This doesn't concern you, little boy. Piss off."
"Doesn't concern me? Ah, are you scared to get called out by a first year?" San pouted in fake-concern.
"Don't ever insult them again!" San threatened, poking his wand into his chest. "I'll get you." The older students laughed, but the one in front of San looked a little worried with a wand poking into his chest.
"Then what will you do? You're just a little first year," the student continued. "I don't think you-"
He couldn't even finish his sentence when a green flash came from San's wand, making the student fall back with a grunt. The others backed up, looking at the fallen student in between them. San raised his wand, pointing at the other students, who backed away quickly.
"San?" you asked, walking closer tentivly. "What did you-"
The fallen student got up, he looked awfully pale. He gagged, and the others backed away from him, even San took a step back. He gagged agian, and then slugs, slimey big slugs fell from his mouth. The others yelped and stared at him in disgust. Your jaw dropped, looking at the older students, who couldn't stop vomitting slugs. San held his wand tighter, pointing it at the others.
"Don't. Insult. Them. Ever. Again." he hissed through gritted teeth. "Now piss off."
The students rushed away, with one of them getting the fallen student from the ground and getting him away, careful for the slugs that kept falling on the ground. San smiled, putting his wand away. He turned back to you, dimples visable as he smiled. Seonghwa and Yunho looked a little stunned, and Yunho was laughing behind his hands.
"You good, Y/N?" San asked, taking you into an embrace.
"I-" you opened your mouth, but no sound really came out. "What did you-"
"Told them exactly what I thought." San shrugged. "Can't have them insulting you, it's ridiculous, honestly."
You looked at your fellow Hufflepuffs, who both looked stunned too.
San cursed and turned around, expecting to see a professor, but luckily, another it was another Slytherin. He'd seen her before. She was in the quidditch team, being a keeper.
"I'm Taylor," she smiled, shaking his hand. "I'm in the quidditch team, and our captain, Blake, asked me to ask you, if you wanted to try out for the quidditch team next year." San blinked at her, a little stunned.
"Me?" he finally asked. "Why me?"
"We've seen you playing a few times," she continued. "When playing for fun, we've seen that you're a quite good beater. And our beaters are in their seventh year, we found one replacement, but we'd love to have you. But only if you're good. So, next year, we expect you to be at the try outs, yes?" San just nodded, the tall girl in front of him being only a little intimidating as she talked. "Good, I'll tell Blake. Expect him to be in touch with you, see ya!"
After that crazy day, the exams were keeping everyone busy. Like San had thought, you were the top of the class. After getting amazing results, it was already time to go back home for the summer. San made you promise to write a lot of owls, and he promised that he'd send a new owl every week, so he expected one every week too!
"Maybe you can visit?" he asked, his voice hopeful. "I'd love to show you around!"
"My parents and I are going on a vacation, so after that I could visit." you offered, waiting for the queue to get out of the express. "I'm a little curious about your parents, though. Maybe I can meet them next time."
"Why next time?" San asked, jumping off the train and putting his trunk to the side.
He walked back to you, grabbing your trunk from your hands, while ignoring your protest, and putting it on the ground for you. He held out his hand and you took it, jumping from the train. Many students bumped into them as they walked to a little calmer place.
"I don't think we'll be able to see them, it's so crowded." you explained, but before you could continue...
"Mom! Dad!" San waved his arms above his head, a wide smile on his face. You stared at him, face a little paler.
But before you could protest, two tall figures walked toward you.
"Sannie!" His mother embraced her son tightly, pressing a kiss on the top of his head. "It's so good to see you again, darling."
"It's good to see you too," he smiled, accepting a hug from his dad. "Mom, dad, this is Y/N!" his mother looked at you, her eyes narrowing and looking up and down at you.
"H-hi," your voice cracking a little. "So nice to meet you, Miss Choi,"
"Oh- this is that Hufflepuff, right?" her mother asked, a smile forming on her face.
"Yes, mom, this is Y/N," San nodded, squeezing your arm. "Have you seen your parents yet?" You tore your eyes away from his parents to look around, and search for yours.
"I don't think- oh- Mom!" You raised your hand, jumping up to get a little taller. "I think they're coming here,"
You were right, your parents saw you and walked toward you, smiling widely.
"You're finally back," your parents joked as you embraced them tightly. "It's so good to see you again,"
"Mom, dad, this is San," you introduced him, gesturing at the Slytherin. San smiled, stepping toward them and shaking their head.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. and Mr. Y/L/N," he smiled.
"Oh... Y/N, is this that Sly... Slith- how do you say it...?" your dad asked, looking at you.
"Slytherin, sir?" San asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Yes! This is that Slytherin boy you couldn't shut up about, wasn't it?" your dad teased. You turned around, looking up at your dad with the scariest look you'd ever given him.
"Shut. Up." you hissed, but San had heard and his cheeks heated a little, chuckling. "These are his parents,"
"Pleasure to meet you," Your mom smiled, introducing herself to San's mom.
"You couldn't shut up about me?" San teased, nudging your shoulder. You scoffed, rolling your eyes.
"You've been talking about me too!" you shot back. "That hufflepuff? What other hufflepuff have you been talking about?"
"Oh my god..." you sighed, crossing your arms. But you couldn't hide the smile from your face.
"San, darling, we really have to go." his dad said after a few minutes. "Your cousin cannot wait for your stories, he's already excited to go to Hogwarts next year."
"Jongho hasn't been able to shut up about it for months now," his mom sighed. She smiled at you.
"It was so nice to meet you, Y/N," she spoke. "If you want to visit somewhere this summer, just send an owl, yes?"
"I will, thanks Ma'am," you smiled. You looked at San. "I'll see you..." you were silent. "I want to say tomorrow, but-" San smiled, a little sadly maybe.
"Don't worry, you won't be able to shake me off until we gratuate!" he joked, but the fact that he wouldn't be able to see you for a while, it saddened him. He stepped closer and hugged you tightly.
San turned the beater bat in his hands before sending the bludger over the hills. He sighed, rolling his shoulders before turning around.
"There is a package for you!" San threw the bat on the ground, jogging to his house as one of the twins grabbed the beater bat to keep the bludger in check.
"A package?" he asked, kicking his shoes off by the door. "From who?"
"Why don't you open it yourself?" his mom smiled, sitting down on the chair, leaning her chin on her hand. San walked to the table, ripping open the package paper. He found a letter first, so he opened it quickly.
I hope this finds you well, and on time! I must admit that I was a little late sending your present... Don't judge me! I only had a little time trying to find a present for you here, but I found something! I hope you like it, and happy birthday! I cannot wait to see you again.
Love, your favourite Hufflepuff ♥ (not Yunho >:( )"
He chuckled at the letter, folding it neatly before looking in the package. It was a neatly packed package, with another letter above it. He saw a bat, a ball and some gloves.
"Is this for quidditch?" he asked, showing his mother the package. She closed her eyes, chuckling softly. "Don't laugh at me!"
"Muggles don't have quidditch, baby," she laughed. "It's for baseball."
"Maybe the letter explains it to you," his mother said, nudging the other letter closer.
"This is a baseball set! Becuase Taylor asked you to do tryouts for the quidditch team, I thought it might be fun to give you the muggle version of a beater. This is a little safer (since it's just on the ground, without broomsticks), but I still hope you like it!"
"So... the muggle equivalent of quidditch?" San asked, looking up at his mother.
"In a way, only the beater part. You have to throw the ball and then you can hit it with the bat,"
"Because muggles are not made with magic, love," his mother sighed. "Just try it out with the twins, I think you'll love it!"
And love it he did. He spent the rest of the summer vacation playing baseball with the twins, trying to send the ball as far as possible and then trying to refind the ball in the large hills. When he wasn't playing baseball, he was writing a letter for you.
"Y/N!" San dashed through the students when he finally saw you. He heard his mother scolding him for almost throwing over another student, but he didn't care. He embraced you tightly when he saw you, gigling loudly. You smiled, wrapping his arms around him.
"Hi Sannie," you smiled. "How was your vacation?"
"Boring, because you weren't there,"
'It must have been that bad, right?"
"The only thing I liked about my vacations were your letters and your present! I loved it! I was a little confused at first, but mom explained it a little more, and I love it!" You smiled widely, before your attention was turned back to your parents.
"Where do we need to put your trunk, Y/N?"
"Oh, give it to me. I'll put it in the train," you said, ushering your parents hands away to grab the trunk.
"I'll do it," San grabbed it without another thought, dragging it to the train.
"San! Give it here, it's my stuff,"
"No," he said stubbornly, walking to the train. You stomped after him, bickering all the way to the train. Sans parents looked at each other, his mom giving him a look. Your parents smiled.
"You raised him well," your mother complimented them, making San's parents beam. "Such a gentleman, at such a young age."
"He better keeps it going to," San's mother mubled to her husband. "If he's going to do dumb teenage things... we better drag him right back."
Her husband nodded. San came back to hug his parents goodbye and get his own trunk, before going back to the train. You hugged your parents goodbye, promised to write them and rushed back to the train, still bickering with San. He could only smile, listening to your bickering.
"Y/N, please, how many times are we going to have this conversation," he sighed, rolling his eyes as he dragged his trunk through the train.
"As long as you don't listen, I will have this discussion!" you said firmly, crossing your arms in front of you, trying to look intimidating. He raised his eyebrow at you, chuckling.
"You're not intimidating," he laughed, turning around and continuing his walk to the compartment.
"UGH! Choi San!" you bellowed, stomping after him.
San was standing on the Quidditch pitch, fixing the gloves on his hands, rolling his shoulders. His broom was leaning against his shoulder, and the beater bat he took along was tucked under his arm. The beater tryouts were today. And a lot of people had signed up. They'd been paired in twos, and San had been put together with a girl called Isolde. A girl with long, black hair that was put into two braids. She was small, smaller than San, but she was twirling the bat in her hand like she'd done this before. Isolde told San that she knew damn well the team captain wanted them to be the new beaters, hence why they were put together.
He turned, and a dopey smile turned on his lips. You sat on the stands, with a book on your lap, waving and smiling to him. Yunho sat next to you, quietly complaining about the already cold fall wind. You slapped his shoulder, making him shut up with a pout. San chuckled, adjusting his other glove.
"Who's that?" Isolde asked, smirking at him. "Is that your partner?"
"Hmh? No!" he said quickly. "They're my best friend!" Isolde raised her eyebrow, looking up at him. "Isolde, please,"
"I'm not saying anything," she shrugged, twirling the bat in her hand. "Do you want them to be?"
"I-" San sighed, looking at you in the stance. "They're like, the best, but I don't want to ruin our friendship really..."
Isolde nodded, looking at you carefully. "Understandable," she mumbled before stepping forward. "Come, it's our turn."
You looked at San as he rose up, smiling from your book.
"... Y/N?" You looked around, eyes wide as you looked at your fellow Hufflepuff.
"Huh?" Yunho grinned at you, writing something down on his parchment.
"Yunho!" you hissed, poking his side. "I'm not staring..."
"You weren't even paying attention," he teased. "You were busy staring at the Slytherin that has your heart," Yunho pretended to faint, the back of his hand on his forehead. "Aish, Choi San, please, save me,"
"Yunho. Shut. Up." You hit him with your book a few times, making him curse and get away from you. "It's not like that, I don't want it," Yunho raised his eyebrow, getting closer when he decided it was safe again - without being in your hit radius.
"I don't want to risk my friendship with him," you explained, flipping a few pages of your book. "And besides- I think I'm too young for that anyway." Yunho nodded slowly.
"It's understandable," Yunho sighed. "But I certainly wouldn't lose him out of sight, Y/N. He's a good one..."
"I cannot believe I got in!" San bounced, smiling widely as he walked with you back to the castle after the tryouts. You smiled, holding your book close to your chest.
"I had all the trust in you," you smiled. "The Slytherin team is very lucky to have you," San smiled, dimples showing.
"Oh- Y/N, I cannot wait for next year!"
"We just started our second year!"
"But next year, we can go to Hogsmeade!"
San gasped, stopping in his steps. He turned to you with a wide-eyed expression.
"You've never heard of hogsmeade?"
"Sannie, I'm a muggleborn..."
"Oh my god- you poor, poor soul... Don't you worry, Y/N, next year, you're going to have the best time at Hogsmeade!"
San didn't like being jealous. He usually wasn't, because why would he be, really. He had nothing to be jealous of. But when you came walking back with a Gryffindor from your lesson, divinations, he couldn't help but feel jealous. He kept talking and talking, and he held your bag for you and everything- that was his thing! You were laughing with him, too. San crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. He bit the inside of his cheek, his eyes narrowing. You said goodbye to the Gryffindor, accepted your bag back, and walked to San, a wide smile on your face.
"Hi Sannie," Your smile faltered when you saw his glare, gripping the strap of your bag. "Are you okay? You look a little annoyed,"
"Who's he?" San asked, his eyes following the Gryffindor who walked to his friends. You turned, looking at what he was looking at.
"Oh! That's Amos," you said. "He's in my Divenation class, and our Transfiguration class, remember?"
"I don't care who's in my class but our friends," he grumbled. "I don't like him!" You raised your eyebrow, looking at the Slytherin.
He shrugged, finally looking at you.
"All over me?!" you exclaimed, stepping back to look him up and down. "Are you insane?!"
"He was!" San's voice rose, and a few other students turned to look at him. "Didn't you see it! He wanted all of your attention! I don't like him!" You stared at him, shaking your head. "What?" he mumbled as you stepped back.
"You're insane," you mumbled, turning around and walking off, toward the Hufflepuff common room.
"Wh- Wait, Y/N!" He pushed off the wall, quickly running after you. But you stomped further, going down the stairs, ignoring him. "Y/N, please- I'm sorry, I-"
But you rushed into the Hufflepuff common room quickly, the entrance already open. He got stopped by a few older Hufflepuffs, who looked a little confused as a Slytherin tried getting into their common room. San promised it wasn't weird, and only tried talking to you, but unfortunately, one of them was a prefect.
"I'm sorry, San," she spoke, looking apologetic. "But I can't let you in. I can ask if they want to come out, but I cannot let you in."
"Coco, please, you know I won't do anything weird," he begged, looking up at the tall girl. She sighed, tilting her head.
"San, listen; if I ever find you in our common room, I'll let you be, because then you got in sneakily, and I didn't see you walking in. And I respect that. But I can't let you just walk in now, with all of us having seen it," she gestured at her friends. "Ehm, Marie, do you want to see if Y/N wants to come out?"
One of her friends nodded and turned back to the common room, rushing through the hallway. San sighed, leaning against the wall.
"What did you do? I've never seen you two fight," Coco asked, shooing her friends away to the lesson. "Tell Flitwick I'm doing prefect business," Her friends walked off, giving some looks over their shoulders.
"It's no fight," San mumbled, his eyes falling. "I just- they were with some Gryffindor, and he was all over them and- he was trying to take my place!" Coco raised her eyebrow, looking at the Slytherin.
"You're just jealous," she deadpanned. San's eyes widened.
"What- no," he said quickly, a little too quickly. Coco looked at him, arms crossed. "I- I have no reason to be jealous, so why would I be jealous?"
"San, almost everybody can see you have a crush on them," Coco whispered. "Well, at least almost all Hufflepuffs- except for the one who matters the most, unfortunately."
"It's not like that," San mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "They're- they're just my best friend..."
"Listen, nobody gets that jealous over their best friend hanging around with someone else-"
"It's not just someone else, it's that bloody Gryffindor!"
"That sounds really Slytherin."
"They're cooling off," Marie walked out of the common room, an apologetic smile on her face. "I'm sorry, San, they don't want to talk to you at the moment," San sighed, face dropping.
"Well, thank you for trying," the Slytherin thanked. "I- I'll see you guys another time, thanks."
San shuffled into the Slytherin common room, throwing his bag down on one of the couches. Jongho raised his eyebrow, looking at his cousin.
"What's your problem?" he mumbled, glancing at how he dramatically fell on the other couch, groaning with his head in the pillows. He mumbled, his voice muffled by the pillows. "I can't hear you, nimwit,"
San raised his head, his hair messy by the couch.
"How did you manage to do that?" he exclaimed, crossing his legs. "I'm on their side,"
"I didn't even explain what happened yet!"
"I don't care; if you made Y/N mad, you probably deserved it," San scowled, sitting up in the corner, throwing a pillow to his cousin.
"I just said that Amos was all over them, and it was annoying me. He was holding their bag like I did, it was like he was trying to be me!" San explained. "But that's my thing! I hold their things; he just wanted their attention! And how could they-"
"San," Jongho interrupted him, throwing the pillow back. "I'm going to tell you what the deal is, and you're not allowed to get mad at me."
"I'll decide for myself if-" San shut up when Jongho grabbed his wand.
"Y/N is a very attractive person," Jongho said slowly. "You can't expect people not to notice. Not only are they very attractive, but they're also one of the kindest Hufflepuffs to exist. They're always helpful and empathetic. You cannot expect people not to show interest in them, if you're too much of a dumb git not to make a move!" San blinked at him, not sure what to say. "So either make a move, or don't be jealous." San sighed, hugging the pillow close to him.
"But a Gryffindor!" he exclaimed. Jongho sighed, putting his wand back.
"I didn't say they had a good judgment," he admitted, getting a laugh out of the older boy.
"How do I apologize?" San asked, a pout on his face. Jongho sighed, his attention back on his book.
"You're going to Hogsmeade tomorrow, right?" San nodded. "Apologize when you're walking there. Also, get me some candies from Zonko!"
"I can't pretend to be mad at him for too long," you admitted, walking with Seonghwa to the courtyard. "I just- I don't get it..."
"I mean, he's still a Slytherin," Seonghwa mumbled. You glared at him.
"That's a dumb excuse," you deadpanned. "It's a fake excuse, too. He's such a gentleman..."
"I just think he's jealous," Seonghwa said, walking off the stairs to the courtyard. "And sometimes people don't really realize how they react when getting jealous,"
"Why would he be jealous?" you asked, raising your eyebrow. Seonghwa sighed, shaking his head.
"You're only one year older than me!"
"Believe me when I say, everybody gets wiser in their fourth year," Seonghwa laughed.
"Oi! Oi! A snake!" Yunho's voice echoed over the courtyard, rushing toward San. San rolled his eyes, wrapping the scarf around his neck.
"Just because I'm a Slytherin doesn't mean I'm a snake..." San pouted, glaring after Yunho. Seonghwa laughed, joining Yunho's side as they started talking about potions, how much Seonghwa sucked at potions. San waited for you, giving you a smile. You couldn't help but smile back. "Hi!"
"Hi," the two of you walked after the Hufflepuffs, kicking the snow on the ground.
"I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday," he said after walking in silence for a while. "I- I don't have an excuse, really. I'm really sorry for the way I behaved." You looked at the Slytherin, arms wrapped around yourself to keep the warmth close.
"It's okay," you smiled, an honest smile, that sweet smile he loved so much. "Everybody has their moments, right?" San chuckled, nodding. "But if you do it again, I'll tell your mom!" San's face drained of color.
"Y/N... don't joke about that, please," he begged, looking at you with wide eyes as you laughed. "She'll have my head,"
"I know she will!" you chuckled. "That's why I'll message her," your teeth clattered, breath coming out in fogs. "It's so cold,"
Without missing a beat, San took off his scarf, wrapping it around you, tying it around your neck.
"Oh, but won't you be cold?" you asked, glancing at him. San shook his head, tugging your arm to keep walking.
"I'll be fine, don't worry."
When you walked into Zonko's, he sighed at the warmth in the store. The tip of his nose was red, and his cheeks were flushed because of the cold piercing wind outside.
"I'm so cold," he complained, wrapping his arms around you. "I'm being a penguin, the penguin method." You chuckled, turning around to hug him back.
"Penguin method," you giggled.
Seonghwa and Yunho looked at the two of you, and Yunho fake vomitted into a candy cauldron.
"They're disgusting," he complained.
"Young love, Yunho, Young love," Seonghwa sighed, looking at a shelf full of candy.
"So? It's still disgusting."
"Look how much we got!" San proudly laid all of the snacks over the table, a large smile covering his face. You smiled, making yourself comfortable on the chair. Wooyoung gasped, looking at all the candy splayed out.
"You got all flavored beans?!" Wooyoung gasped, reaching for one of the packages. San slapped his hand away, throwing him a glare. "Oi!"
"Sannie, can I have a package of chocolate frogs?" you asked, wrapping your arms around your legs. Mingi snorted, chuckling quietly.
"He doesn't share food," Wooyoung mumbled, planting his hands on his hips as he looked at you. "If you're lucky, he will-"
San grabbed a package and threw it your way, without blinking an eye.
"Thank you," you smiled, excitedly unwrapping the package. Wooyoung looked at him, looking at how he sorted all his candy. He didn't even look at him.
"Pardon?" The Gryffindor mumbled. "What do you mean? What- What?! Why do they get one?"
"Because it's Y/N," Yeosang giggled.
Fourth year (There is a Christmas ball, these were my ideas for the reader's outfit. Dress. Suit (more feminine) Suit (more masculine).
Something that you noticed very quickly when San started playing in the Slytherin team is that he became built. And not just the I'm getting older, so a little stronger type of build, but the I can walk through the doorway and hit with my left and right shoulder the doorframe at the same damn time kind of build.
Both of you chose the same subjects for your O.W.L.s, and now, for three years in a row, you have been at the top of your class. San walked everywhere with you. Like a little puppy. He carried your bag for you, much to your dismay and protests, but you learned to deal with it.
Hogsmeade weekends were the best when it snowed, since you always went to the Three Broomsticks to enjoy a cup of butterbeer. But now in the fourth year, the halls were crowded with the thought of the Yule ball, the most exciting thing happening in your year now. You buzzed with excitement, telling San all about your outfit and how you hoped your date would match you perfectly.
"I think you'll be fine, Y/N," he said, smiling at you. "You always look beautiful." You smiled at him, beaming at the compliment.
The two of you stopped, turning around to see who called your name. It was a Gryffindor. San groaned, rolling his eyes.
"What on earth does he want now..." he mumbled, watching the Gryffindor get closer to you.
"Hi!" Amos McClaggen smiled as he arrived at your side. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Amos, thanks," you smiled politely.
"Amazing!" he fidgeted with his sleeves. "I- I just wanted to ask if you had a date to the ball,"
The color of San's face drained. For some reason, he had just assumed that you would go to the ball with him. Just out of habit. The two of you did everything together. San bit the inside of his cheek, his hands tightening around the straps of your bag. He couldn't stop you now, it was your choice anyway...
"Oh-" you exclaimed, fidgeting with your robe. 'Oh- uh- Amos, that's- really kind of you- but- uhm- I'm kind of asking for someone else to ask me, I'm sorry, I know it's a shit excuse, but-"
"Come on, Y/N," Amos interrupted, sighing. "That dude is not going to ask you anyway, just go with me." You were at a loss for words for a moment, staring from Amos to San, as if to say, please god, bloody hell, help me.
"I'd rather just wait for a little longer, Amos. Sorry. It's a no," Amos rolled his eyes.
"Well, Y/N, I'll ask you every day from now on, until you say yes. See you tomorrow!" With that promise, he turned away, walking back to his friends who were whooping at him. San looked at you, raising your eyebrow.
"You okay?" he asked, touching the small of your back as he guided you through the hallway.
"Just fine..." you mumbled, looking over your shoulder to see Amos looking at you. "God- what a douchebag,"
"Remember how you told me last year that he was so sweet and kind?" San teased. At the death glare from you, he shut up, apologizing quickly. "Was it true that you were waiting for someone to ask you out, or was that a lie?"
"I mean, I'm hoping someone will ask me soon, but I'm not specifically waiting for someone." That was a lie, and you knew this damn well. You looked at him as the two of you walked to Charms. "And you? Who are you going with? Chosen one of your admirers yet?"
"They're not my admirers, Y/N..." he grumbled.
Not only did you notice how much San had changed from the third to the fourth year. A lot of other girls had come up to him, asking if he wanted to go with the ball with them. He had declined all of them, only having eyes for one specific Hufflepuff.
"You should choose one quickly," you teased, greeting Flitwick as you walked into the classroom. "You wouldn't want to go to the ball alone, hmh?"
"Oh, shut up, Y/N..." he mumbled. "Shouldn't you choose someone too?"
"I don't want to go with Amos..." you mumbled, giving him a look. "And nobody but him asked me,"
"No way," he exclaimed, putting your bag down on your desk. "You're lying," you shook your head, fishing out the necessities for the lesson.
"I'm not as admirable as you," you laughed, falling down in the chair. San sat down next to you, grabbing his books.
"Well..." he began, not meeting your eye. "Maybe, just to be sure... we should go together? To make sure we both have someone to go with..." Your cheeks heated up, biting your lip, not wanting to look at him.
"Sure," you smiled. "Just as friends, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, definitely. Just as friends."
You're glad he wasn't looking at you, because you felt hot, and San was glad you weren't looking at him, because his ears were turning red.
It was only a few weeks later, or the ball was there. San was adjusting his sleeve cuffs while waiting at the exit of the Hufflepuff common room, shifting his weight from leg to leg.
"I honestly cannot believe you are going 'as friends'," Wooyoung complained, waiting next to him. "Stop moving, you're annoying." He added, kicking the back of his legs, making San glare at him.
"I don't want to ruin our friendship," San mumbled, adjusting the cuff around his neck. "How do I look?" Wooyoung looked him up and down.
"Hot," Wooyoung nodded curtly, and San chuckled at his tone. "But San, honestly, you need to make a bloody move. Also - shut up, I'm still talking - If you make a move and it's not reciprocated, which I think is highly unlikely, then they'll let it slide. They'll forget about it. Make. Your. Move! Okay?!" San sighed, shaking his head.
"Woo, I really don't think I can just do that," he mumbled. "I don't want to-"
Before Wooyoung could complain, there were footsteps. He first heard Yunho's teasing voice and Seonghwa's laugh before he heard you.
"Yunho, quit it, honestly."
"Okay, princess, I'll stop, I'll stop," Yunho walked around the corner, catching San's face, before flashing him a smile. "Hi snake,"
"Don't let Mingi hear you call someone else princess," San laughed, earning a loud laugh from both Hufflepuffs. Yunho clapped him on the shoulder, walking off to pick up his own date from their common room.
San looked back, and he swore that his heart stopped beating for a moment. The most beautiful thing was your smile, which seemed to shine even brighter than usual. The green color of your dress robes made you even more beautiful than usual, which San thought was insane. You looked good in green... At the realization that you wore green, his eyes widened. Had you done that on purpose? Wearing his house colors? He couldn't tear his eyes off you, looking up and down. If his mother saw him looking like this, she'd kill him for "wandering eyes" and how impolite that was.
You smiled at him, walking closer with fidgeting hands.
"Good evening," you smiled, nudging him in the side, making him snap back to reality.
"Hi," he spoke breathlessly. "You- you look amazing." You smiled widely, looking at your outfit.
"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself," you teased, poking his arm. San smiled, moving his fingers to his arm where you'd just touched him. It was silent between you two, giving each other quick glances at the outfits, but nothing more.
"Well," San said after a long pause, offering his arm to you. A smile turned on your lips, looking from his arm to him.
"Whoa, such a well-raised man," you teased, before taking his arm and walking off. "I could get used to this!" San laughed, shaking his head.
You two walked to the great hall. The walls were decorated with lights and Christmas decorations, and the hall had added a few huge Christmas trees that Hagrid provided. But you weren’t looking at the decorations; you were looking at San. He looked incredibly handsome; it was just unfair, really. With his hair slicked back and his broad shoulders in that damn suit.
Others greeted you, smiling, and a few of your friends winked as the two of you walked past. You shot your best friend, Yeji, a look when she winked dramatically, praying that San didn’t see. He didn’t.
“You really look beautiful, Y/N,” he spoke, a smile tugging at his lips. You beamed as you looked at him. “I cannot believe you almost went with McClaggen.”
You chuckled, raising your eyebrow. “Why? Would you’ve been jealous?”
“Of course I would’ve,” The way he said it was a little too casual and quick to sound like just friends. You stared at him, the smile on your lips widening. San’s mouth went dry, and he chuckled softly, not daring to meet your eye.
“Why?” You pressed on, poking his chest. “Why would you be jealous?”
“Come on, Y/N,” he said with an exasperated look, trying to drag you further into the great hall. “Don’t be like this-“
“I will be like this!” You protested with a laugh, keeping your stance so he couldn’t drag you along. “Now tell me, Choi San, why would you have been jealous of Amos?”
San looked at you. His soft brown eyes locked with yours. His dimples showed beautifully as he smiled.
I think you’re the most beautiful person alive.
I don’t want anyone but me to be with you.
“Because he’s a Gryffindor, duh,”
You looked at him for a little longer, almost wishing that he’d say more. But before he even had the chance, Dumbledore’s voice echoed through the great hall, making both of you jump in surprise.
“Welcome, everybody, to the Yule Ball! I hope every single one of you will have a great evening and a wonderful night. Now, let’s start the music!”
He clapped his hands, and the band started to play. San looked at all the people who rushed to the dance floor before looking back at you.
“Care to dance?” He asked, nudging your side.
“I can’t dance,” you deadpanned.
“Don’t worry; I’ll lead.”
Without any more time to protest, San had dragged you onto the dance floor. He spun toward you, and in a swift movement, he placed your hand on his shoulder, and his hand rested on your waist, the other holding your hand. He smiled down at you. You felt your cheeks heating up as you realised how close he actually was.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you won’t embarrass yourself,” he joked.
That wasn’t the thing you were worried about.
Dancing with San was different from what you’d expected. He knew exactly what to do, when to twirl you, but when you were more than two seconds away from him, he always pulled you back with a strong grip on your waist.
Wooyoung and his partner were taking the show, twirling and dancing so widely that people had to step out of their way. Both you and San giggled at their dancing, with you shaking your head. San glanced at you, trying to suppress the wide smile he had had the entire time. You leaned close to him, resting your head on his chest as you swayed on the dance floor. San's breath hitched.
You heard his heartbeat. San bit his lip, praying you didn’t hear how his heart stuttered for a second as you got even closer to him. Your stomach turned, as if butterflies fluttered around. His soft hands on your skin, and combined with his perfume- god, you couldn’t get enough.
“Told you I’d make sure you wouldn’t embarrass yourself,” he mumbled, his voice rumbling in his chest. You chuckled, looking back up at him.
“Very funny,” you said, nudging his shoulder playfully. “Wanna get a drink?” You asked, looking at all the drinks splayed out on the tables. San nodded, his hand staying on your waist as he guided you off the dance floor and to the tables. His hand stayed there as you poured some of the fruity punch into the cups, and his hand only left your waist when the cups threatened to fall over your outfit.
“This is why I have to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself!” He laughed as he pulled you away from the table, where the punch now lay. You rolled your eyes.
“Oh, and how did I do that? I was just standing there!”
“That’s how I distracted you?” He asked, taking his wand out. With a flick of his wand and a soft “Sourcify,” the table was clean again. “How on earth can I distract you by just standing?”
“Well, you-“ he spun around, meeting your eye as he crossed his arms in front of him. That stupid, cute, very annoying grin on his face, he got when he knew he was right. His dimples showed perfectly, making it even more annoying. “You…”
“What? Cat got your tongue?” He teased, tapping your chin. “Come on, I’ll pour you some new drinks.”
He stepped past you, walking to the table. You stood frozen for a few seconds, your brain short-circuiting for a beat.
“Hi, San!” San looked up from pouring the punch. Maria stood in front of him, a wide smile spread across her cheeks. She wore a beautiful, deep purple dress that puffed out at the bottom. Isolde stood close to her, wearing a black dress with green hints. The couple beamed at him.
“Hello, ladies,” San smiled, handing a cup of punch over to you. “How are you two?”
“Fine!” Maria exclaimed, looking over at you. She gasped, a hand in front of her mouth. “Y/N! You look beautiful!” She stepped closer, inspecting your outfit carefully. “My god-“
“Thank you,” you smiled, twirling for her, making her jaw drop even more. “I really like it,”
“It looks amazing on you!” She continued, snapping her fingers in support. “Love it! Did you wear green to show people you’re his Hufflepuff?” She chuckled, nudging your side. You snorted, rolling your eyes.
“They’re not my Hufflepuff,” San said quickly, glancing at Maria. “We’re- we’re not together or anything.”
You glanced at him, your smile faltering just a little. He looked a little worried at Maria’s remark, clearing his throat before taking a sip of his drink. Right. Of course. Just as friends. Like the two of you had agreed on.
“Ehm… yeah,” you mumbled, looking at the glass in your hand. “Yeah, that…”
Maria looked at her girlfriend. She gave her a look, get her out of here for a moment.
“Anyway! Y/N!” Maria continued, linking your arm with hers. “Have you seen the scenery outside already? It’s gorgeous!” Maria’s voice trailed off as she dragged you along, with wide and exaggerated arm gestures as she walked.
Isolde nodded, keeping her eyes on her girlfriend as she dragged you away. San looked after you, his eyebrow raised.
“Why is your girlfriend stealing my-“
A harsh SMACK at the back of his head made him choke on his words. His hand flew to his head, head whipping around to meet Isolde’s furious eyes.
“Ouch?! What was that for?!”
“For being a dumb git!” She hissed, smacking him again on the arm.
“San!” She looked exasperated, jabbing her finger at you and Maria, who were now inspecting one of the decorations on the great hall door. “They like you!” San looked at Isolde.
“Yes, they do!” Isolde groaned, letting her head drop into her hands. “Bloody hell- why do you have to be such a man…”
“San, please,” Isolde begged. “Please, please, please, just do something!”
“Do what? Isolde, really, what can I do?” He continued. “Because I am clueless!”
“Of course you are; bloody men…” Isolde mumbled, pinching her nose-bridge. “Just give them some subtle hints. Kiss them when you drop them off at the common room, maybe a kiss on the cheek? Or while you’re dancing? Anything!”
San threw his hands up, groaning as he paced around.
“I don’t wanna ruin our friendship,”
“But San, what if someone else can call them their Hufflepuff, then what? What if McClaggen can call them his Hufflepuff!”
San scowled at the thought. He couldn’t even see it; that Gryffindor with his Hufflepuff?! No way.
“So you better do something before it’s too late!” Isolde hissed, jabbing her finger in his face. “Because if you don’t-“
“Okay! Okay! I get it,” he replied, swatting her hand away. “Jesus Christ- Slow down, Savannah,”
He sighed, rubbing his forehead as he turned to you and Maria. Isolde gave him a look Don’t fuck it up, before putting on her smile as she walked to her girlfriend. Maria beamed as her hands wrapped around her waist, apologizing to you before dragging her away. You chucked, looking after the two girlfriends.
You couldn’t help but feel a sinking feeling in your stomach, looking at the loving couple as they walked off, chatting lovingly. Maria pressed a kiss to Isoldes' cheek, making her lipstick smudge on her cheek, and making both girls burst out in giggles.
Why did you feel like this in the first place? You agreed to go as friends, so you should’ve expected this. There was no reason for you to feel bad.
“Hey,” You heard his voice before you saw him, a warm hand wrapping around your waist. You looked at him, smiling down at you. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” you lied, giving a forced smile back. San looked at you for a little longer, brows furrowed.
“Do you want to dance?” He suggested, gesturing to the dance floor. Well… let’s enjoy it while it lasts?
“Sure,” you mumbled. He could hear the unenthusiastic tone in your voice, but you smiled and dragged him along before he could ask about it.
The rest of the evening, you tried to enjoy. But whenever you started to enjoy yourself a little too much, you reminded yourself that you were, in fact, there as friends. San tried to get the mood back to what it was, but even he noticed how your smile didn’t reach your eyes like usual.
Somewhere in the middle of the evening, the music changed to a more upbeat tone. Somehow, you got convinced to dance with your fellow Hufflepuff, Yunho.
“As Muggle bloods, we have to keep each other entertained,” was his excuse as he stole you away from the Slytherin, who scowled. “I’m her favourite here,” San blinked, eye twitching as Yunho dragged you into the crowd.
You threw your head back laughing as you saw San’s expression while Yunho dragged you along. When you were in the crowd, he turned, his smile turning from teasing to gentle as he looked down at you.
“How are you feeling?” He asked, tilting his head.
“Just fine,” you mumbled, shrugging. “Why are you asking?”
“You can’t lie to me, Y/N,” Yunho said firmly, shaking his head. “What happened?” You opened your mouth, but no sound came out. Yunho’s eyes bored into our eyes as people danced around the two of you. You couldn’t find words, any words, so you closed your mouth again, probably looking like a fish searching for air. “I noticed a change in mood,” Yunho continued after a while. “What happened? Did someone do anything to make you uncomfortable?” His frown deepened. “It wasn’t San, right? Was it Amos?”
“What?” You spoke when you finally regained your voice. “No, nothing like that happened,” The older Hufflepuff pulled back, a confused pout on his face.
“Then what is it?” He continued his interrogation. "You can tell me, Y/N, maybe I can help."
"It's silly, Yu," you mumbled, shaking your head. "I just-" You sighed, dropping your hands to your side. "I went here with Sannie, and we agreed we'd go as friends, but- I just wished that something might happen, and-" You sighed again, glancing up at the Hufflepuff. "Y'know... I hoped that maybe we could be more than friends. I tried to look for a green outfit to match his house colors, but when Maria mentioned it, he said 'Oh no, we're not together on anything'." You pinched your nose bridge. "It's stupid, I know," Yunho stared at you, waving his hands around as he shook his head.
"It's not stupid!" he said quickly, talking quickly. "No, Please, Listen-"
"Why are you stealing my Hufflepuff?" Two warm hands appeared on your shoulder, tugging you back so your back collided with his chest. You looked over your shoulder, and San's dimpled smile came into view. "They're mine tonight, Yunho! No stealing!" San accused, dragging you back. Yunho got left in the crowd, unsaid words on his tongue.
San chuckled, wrapping his arms around you, trapping you in a warm hug, with him leaning his chin on your shoulder. You felt his breath fanning over your neck, goosebumps jumping up everywhere. Your heart stopped for a moment. This. This proximity, this closeness. You suddenly felt hot, the people around you bumping into you as you stood there frozen. San seemed to pay no mind. Your ears were ringing from the loud music, and you felt like you couldn't breathe.
"How do you feel?" San mumbled, his lips ghosting over your neck.
"Tired," you said quickly, your voice cracking in the end. "I want to go back," You pried his arms from your body, your feet dragging you to the exit of the great hall. San stared after you, his arms still open from the embrace. His mouth fell open, but he quickly cleared his throat before bolting after you.
"Did you enjoy the evening?" he asked after finally catching up to you.
You glanced at him, and that pained you even more for some reason. He looked so happy, his eyes twinkling as he looked at you, that smile back on his lips. He offered you his arm. You looked at his arm for a moment before sighing and linking it. Your hand rested on his biscep, set your head on his shoulder. You closed your eyes before taking a deep breath.
"It was amazing, San," you admitted. "I'm happy we went together,"
San smiled widely, glancing at you as you walked into the corridor where the Hufflepuff common room was.
“I’m happy to hear,” he smiled. He nudged your side, making you look up at him. A grin appeared on his face, that grin that told you mischief. “Wouldn’t have been as good as you went with McClaggen, huh?” You knew it was just to tease you. But you didn’t even want to think about going with Amos at this moment.
“My evening wouldn’t have been good if I went with anyone else.”
San stared at you, his grin disappearing. You let go of him as you knocked the familiar rhythm of “Helga Hufflepuff” on the barrels. When the entrance swung open, you turned to San. His eyes bored into yours. That same gaze you’d loved to adore since the first year. You brushed some hair from his forehead, which had finally started to tousle up after the evening. It didn’t look a lot better. You stared at him for a moment.
Before he could say anything else, you ruffled his hair, making it stand up in all different directions. Your hands were now covered with the gel he used to slick his hair, but that tired-but-not-tired sigh you got from him, completed with that look that seemed to be reserved for just you, made that matter no more.
“Really?” He asked, tilting his head to the side.
“You’re going back now anyway, right?” You asked, chuckling as you tried fixing the worst. You didn’t want to let him walk like an idiot. “Who are you going back to? Someone else? I thought I was your date,” San let you play with his hair for a little longer, looking at you carefully.
“You are my date,” San confirmed. “And you stay my date until-“ Your gaze shifted from his hair to meet his eyes. His mouth went dry, gulping.
“Until?” You asked, stepping a little closer. “Until when?”
“Until… you’re back in the dorm, of course,” San mumbled, pulling at his collar. “Y/N, I-“ He sighed, dropping his hands to his side. He heard Isolde’s voice somewhere in the back of his head.
Kiss them when you bring them back to their common room, maybe even a kiss on the cheek.
“I had the best evening tonight, Sannie,” your voice sounded, snapping him back to reality. You stepped closer to him, wrapping your arms around his neck, hugging him closely. San stood there for a few seconds, eyes wide, before his arms snuck around you, holding you in his embrace. You were warm; only you could give these types of warm hugs. A soft feeling appeared on his cheek, and right after, you pulled back, stepping back to the entrance of the common room. San’s hand flew to his cheek, his entire face starting to heat up. Did you just- kiss him? “Goodnight,” you smiled. San stood frozen, staring at how you walked through the entrance.
But his voice only echoed through the corridor. You’d disappeared, the barrel falling close behind you. San stood there. On his own. In front of the Hufflepuff common room. None the wiser.
You walked through the long entrance, biting your lip as this hollow feeling started appearing in your stomach. You felt tears appearing in your eyes, and you tried to blink them away, but to no avail. You walked into the common room, where Seonghwa lay on one of the couches, immersed in his book. He must have come back way earlier. He looked up, and when he saw you, he perked up.
“Hey!” He smiled, sitting up against the side. “How was your night?” You nodded, biting your lip as you sat on the couch next to him. He sat down cross-legged so you had room to sit.
“It was nice,” you choked out, scratching your neck. You bit your lip, looking at Seonghwa. Seonghwa’s gaze turned worried, his brows furrowing together as he looked you up and down once.
“Did something happen with San?” He asked, his voice excited.
Oh- everybody knew. Fun. Everybody knew you liked him. Everybody but the person from whom you needed him to know.
You gnawed at your lip, a tear trailing down your cheek.
You gnawed at your lip, a tear trailing down your cheek.
“Am I really that dumb, Hwa?” You asked, glancing at your fellow Hufflepuff. He looked confused, head tilting as he looked at you. “Have I been imagining it all?”
“What are you talking about?” He asked, putting his book on the table and scooting closer to you. “You’re not dumb, love, what- what are you talking about?”
“I thought he liked me,” you mumbled, rubbing your hands together for warmth. “I thought- maybe we could be something after this ball… I know we wanted to go as friends and we agreed upon it, but I thought that it would’ve been so awkward if it were a real date and I didn’t want that and…” You sighed, dropping your hands by your side as you sank into the pillows. “But I thought what we had was- I don’t know, I don’t know what I thought.”
“He doesn’t like you?” Seonghwa asked carefully, wrapping his arm around you.
“I don’t think he does,” you continued, fidgeting with your sleeves. “Maria asked about it, and he was pretty adamant that we were just here as friends. And that we were, in fact, not dating,” You looked at him, leaning your head on your hand. “I even wore green for him… y’know, to match his house.” Seonghwa sighed, brushing some hair out of your face.
“That’s a beautiful thought, love,” Seonghwa smiled. “I think- I think he just panicked. Afraid of… commitment, I guess?” You chuckled weakly, shaking your head. “He’s just a dumb Slytherin, don’t forget that.”
“Unfortunately, he is,” you agreed, rubbing the back of your head. You glanced at him. “Hwa, what should I do?” Seonghwa sighed, glancing into the fire, keeping the common room warm.
“I think he’s just really dumb, as in he actually is in this department.”
The common room opened again, and it was Yunho. The tall Hufflepuff smiled, walking toward the two of you.
“What are you two talking about?” He asked, taking off his suit jacket with a smile.
“How do we deal with dumb Slytherins?”
Yunho froze, eyes widening as he looked from Seonghwa to you.
You chuckled at his confusion. His eyebrow raised as he fell down on the ground in front of the couch, throwing the suit jacket on the table before crossing his arms.
“What are you two talking about?” Yunho repeated. “This time, a bit more context, please.”
“San,” You deadpanned. Yunho clacked his tongue.
“Y/N thinks San doesn’t like them the way they like him,” Seonghwa explained. “I think he’s just being stupid. What’s your opinion on this matter?”
“Oh- San is head over heels for you,” Yunho said quickly, nodding as he looked up at you. “What makes you think he’s not?”
“He made it very clear when talking to Maria,” you mumbled. “That we were not together or anything,” Yunho sighed, dropping his head in exasperation.
“He really is a dumb Slytherin,”
“That’s what I said!” Seonghwa exclaimed.
“But- what do I do?” You continued, looking at the two. “Do I wait, do I let it go? Because- I’ve been waiting for a while, I don’t mind waiting, but I’m starting to get a little impatient,”
Yunho looked at Seonghwa, running his hand through his hair. Seonghwa bit his lip, glancing at you.
“I think you should wait a little longer,” Yunho finally said, glancing back at you. “Don’t let him go yet, Y/N. He’ll get the hint soon… I hope,”
"Honestly, Y/N, at this point, let him go," You glanced up at your friend, turning another page from your Care of Magical Creatures handbook.
"It's not that simple, Yeji," you mumbled, leaning your head against your hand. "I promised I wouldn't..." Yeji sighed, crossing her arms in front of her.
"To whom? Not to San, Yunho made you promise to wait. And besides, you went as friends to that ball!" Because you suggested it, and he didn't correct you!" You ran a hand through your hair, sighing deeply. "Try to look at some other guys, Amos, maybe?" You chuckled, remembering the jealous glances San threw at said Gryffindor when he even dared to look in your direction.
"I think he would die on the spot if I decided to go out with him," you chuckled, grabbing your quill again to continue your notes. "It's fine, Yeji. Really."
"It's not!" Yeji stubbornly continued. "Go and ask Amos, go ask him out. Go with him to Hogsmeade next weekend, after the last O.W.L., hmh?" You looked up, glancing toward the Gryffindor table.
Surprisingly, Amos was looking up. Looking at you. When catching your gaze, he gave you a smile. You returned one. You watched him wave with his wand and his mouth move, before a little paper bird came fluttering toward you. You caught it in your hands and watched how the paper unfolded by itself.
"Hogsmeade this weekend?" It read in his scrawny handwriting. Yeji read over your shoulder, giving you a knowing look.
"Y/N," You looked up, catching Yunho's worried gaze. He gave Yeji a quick look before looking back at you. "Don't,"
"You're trying to keep them from happiness!" Yeji accused, pointing her wand at him accusingly. Yunho looked at the wand, pointed at his face, before casually moving it to the side.
"I think he is interested in you," the older Hufflepuff continued, ignoring Yeji's indignant scoff. "Just give him a little more time," You bit your lip, looking at the letter in your hands.
"I have been waiting for five years now..." you mumbled, looking back at him. Yeji threw Yunho a look, pointing at you.
"Yeji, stop," he warned, his voice dropping an octave. "I will send Aunt Hannah a letter about your behavior," Yeji gasped, hand to her chest.
"I. Would," Yunho looked back at you. "Think about it, Y/N... Please," You sighed, your gaze dropping. You looked at the letter. You looked over your shoulder.
San was busy talking with Jongho, pointing at his essay. Jongho gave him a blunt answer back, making San stare at him for a few seconds before slapping the back of his head. Jongho stared at him, and San stared back. Typical Choi behavior...
"I can always give him a chance..." You mumbled, voice barely audible.
Yeji cheered, and Yunho sighed. When you looked back at Amos, he was still staring at you. You gave him a smile and a thumbs-up. Amos' smile widened, his eyes twinkling as you looked at him. His friends hit him on the arm, whispering quickly to him as they saw the interaction.
You didn't know how long it would take for San to know. You cowardly had rushed to the common room right after, knowing damn well you wouldn't be able to face him after what happened, guilt churning in your stomach. Would it be soon? Would he hear it that same day? Of course he would...
Because when San was walking back to the Slytherin common room after their study session, he heard the whispers. How did it get around so quick? Ask the Gryffindors. Because it was two Gryffindors who approached San to ask.
"Since when does Y/N go out with McClaggen?" Hongjoong asked when they caught San in the corridor.
He stopped in his tracks, slowly looking around to face the Quidditch Captain. Wooyoung quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look the Slytherin in the eye. Hongjoong gulped at his narrowed gaze.
"What did you say?" he asked sharply. Hongjoong ran a hand through his hair, his hand scratching the back of his head as he gave Wooyoung a look. His hair got a little duller as he bit the inside of his cheek.
"I heard they're going to Hogsmaede together," the captain mumbled, not daring to meet his eyes. San stared at Hongjoong for a few seconds, blinking. "It's- it's just what I heard, please, don't kill me."
"What do you mean they're going out?" San whispered, his hands tightening around the strap of his bag. "Wh-what? Where did you hear this?"
"Just heard it," Wooyoung explained. "He sent them a letter, and they agreed." San opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
"Why... why did they agree?" he spoke. "I'm- I'm a little confused,"
"We don't know," Hongjoong mumbled, carefully looking at San.
"They don't even like him!"
"San, we have no clue why they're going out with him," Wooyoung spoke, crossing his arms. "But, playing the devil's advocate here, why do you care? It's not like you're together or anything." San poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue, exhaling heavily.
"You're fucking kidding me," San sighed, rubbing his temples.
"What if you- go to them," Hongjoong suggested carefully. "Explain the situation and-"
"But," Wooyoung interrupted. "What will he explain? 'Hey, I heard you're going out with Amos. I don't want that. So don't?' That sounds crazy, doesn't it?" San bit his lip, resting his hands on the side of his neck as he sighed. "San, you're going to have to confess to them."
"I can't," he groaned. "I'll ruin everything,"
"But whatever you're feeling now isn't healthy," Hongjoong mumbled. "What if we- listen, what if we go to Hogsmeade on the same day, just with us, and you can talk to them as well?"
"You can't stalk them," Wooyoung disagreed. "That isn't- that isn't healthy as well,"
"I'm going to study," San finally mumbled, taking a step back to the dungeon's stairs. "I'll see you two later,"
Before the Gryffindors could utter any other words, San turned around and disappeared.
He couldn't be mad. Especially not at you. Because honestly, did he have any reason to be mad? No. Like Wooyoung said, it's not like you were together. You didn't have anything going on, so being mad wasn't something he was allowed to be. Maybe he was mad, but more at himself. For not saying anything. He should have said something. Way earlier. Probably at the ball last year. That was the perfect opportunity. Everybody told him. But he was too much of a coward. Too afraid to fuck up your friendship.
He bit the inside of his cheek, feeling the wind woosh around his body. He flew in the air, trying to focus on all the bludgers flying around.
"San! What are you doing?!" he heard his captain scream. "Come on! Focus!"
San locked his jaw, swinging the bludger to try and steer it in her direction. She flew a little higher, avoiding it carefully.
After the practice, San threw down his bat and broom, groaning as he secured the bludgers and kicked the chest closed. He grabbed the side and dragged it to the cupboard, kicking that closed too. He turned, and Isolde was standing there.
"What's your problem?" she deadpanned, popping her hip out as she narrowed her eyes. "I cannot work with you like this. Either you get your head out of the gutter, or you tell me what's wrong, now!" San glared at her.
"Nothing's wrong," he grumbled. "Can't wait to beat Gryffindor, especially-"
"Especially McClaggen, hmh?" Isolde asked, tilting her head. "I'm not dumb, San. What the fuck is up with you?"
"He's going on a date with Y/N," he admitted, walking back to the middle of the field. Isolde raised his eyebrow, walking after her fellow beater.
"I thought you two were like a thing," she mumbled. San shook his head. "Damn dude- why not?"
"Because I'm dumb," San admitted, throwing his hands in the air. "That's why. Is that what you wanted to hear, Isolde?"
"I always want to hear that," She shrugged. "But don't worry. He's a chaser. Just focus all the bludgers on him so he cannot even go to Hogsmeade anymore," San looked at her, catching the sly smirk teasing up her lips.
"What a wonderful idea," San smiled, patting her on the shoulder. "I love the way your mind works,"
The two of them were chatting, talking about all the ways they could try and get Amos into a bludger trap. When the two were down the stairs, in front of the Slytherin common room, a voice made San perk up.
"Sannie," San looked up, a smile curling up his lips as he saw you.
"Hey," you walked closer, smiling at Isolde, who smiled back sweetly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, tilting his head.
"I don't have your scarf," you shrugged, cracking your fingers. "I need to have it. For- y'know, tomorrow."
"Oh!" San exclaimed. "Right- right, I- I'll be right back!" he muttered the password and quickly rushed to his dorm. You chuckled, shaking your head.
"How are you, Isolde?" you asked. Isolde nodded, twirling the bat in her hands.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," she said, looking at you closely. "How've you been? I've heard some things about you," You chuckled nervously. "Since when are you going out with McClaggen?"
"Oh, we're not going out," you said quickly. "We're just going to Hogsmeade together," you cleared your throat, scratching the back of your neck.
"Really?" Isolde mumbled before humming and nodding. "That's why I was a little confused. I thought you'd be wearing his scarf." Your upper lip curled up, looking a little offended by the suggestion.
"No! Of course, not," you exclaimed. "Ew- No," Isolde chuckled, leaning on her broom.
"Okay, I'll be looking forward to seeing you on our side then," she smiled.
"There you go," San returned, handing you his green scarf. "There you go; our good luck charm," you smiled, taking the soft fabric from his hands. His fingers brushed yours briefly.
"I'll come to wish you good luck tomorrow," you promised, keeping the scarf close to your chest. "See you tomorrow," You patted his arm, squeezing his biscep briefly and bidding goodbye to both beaters. The feeling of your hand on his arm was still lingering, the scent of your perfume lazing around. San sighed, watching as you left.
"You're fucked," Isolde mumbled, patting him on the back.
"I'm so excited!" Yunho dragged you through the crowd, excitedly skipping along. You beaned, nodding quickly. You caught the top of San's head through the crowd.
"I'm going to wish him good luck," you mumbled, pushing through the people. "Wait for me!"
You pushed through the people, keeping your eyes fixed on San's broad shoulders. He was already in his Quidditch tunic, still adjusting the straps on his gloves. He turned, a wide smile spreading on his face as he saw you.
A hand on your shoulder made you spin. You stood eye to eye with Amos. A wide smile was on his face.
"Why are you wearing this?" Amos chuckled, touching the scarf around your neck. "This is stupid, Y/N, come on," He unwrapped the scarf from your neck, scoffing before dropping it on the ground. You stuttered, trying to grab the scarf, but Amos grabbed your shoulders. "We have to get you ready for you to cheer for me."
San stared at the sight in front of him, clacking his tongue as he tied the arm guards to secure them. He watched as Amos used face paint to paint A.M. on one cheek and 04 on the other, in red paint. You mumbled something, but Amos just smiled, shaking his head as he tucked some hair behind your ear. You tried stepping back a little, but Amos wrapped his arms around you, hugging you close.
"I'll hear you cheering for me, see you later, Y/N!" He pressed a kiss on the top of your head before turning swiftly and walking off.
You stared ahead of you, not sure about what just happened. Then you looked down, crouching down to grab San's scarf from the floor. Footprints covered them, with people having walked over them. You dusted it off, glancing up to look at him.
His jaw was locked, tearing his eyes away from you, grabbing the bat, and walking into the Slytherin changing room. You bit your lip, shoulders drawn forward as you held the scarf close to you.
"Y/N?" Yunho appeared behind you, his hands on your shoulders. He looked after Amos with a raised eyebrow, before glancing back at you. "Hm..." was the only thing he said. "Do you want me to- do anything about this?"
"Can't you change it to Slytherin colors?" you asked.
You grabbed your wand and mumbled: "Scourgify," and soon the scarf was as clean as ever. You wrapped it around your neck, turning to your fellow Hufflepuff. Yunho smiled, nodding excitedly. He took out his wand too and pointed it at your face. You gulped, suddenly a wand only a few inches from your face. After he mumbled the incantation, you felt your skin tickling, like there was water drizzling down your face. Yunho turned you by the shoulders, showing your reflection in one of the windows.
The A.M. in red was now changed to C.S. in green and silver, and the 04 turned into 12, in the Slytherin colors as well.
"Way better, honestly," Yunho sighed. "Now, let's go. You have your favorite Slytherin to cheer for,"
"I cannot wait for McClaggen to mysteriously fall off his broom," San grumbled as he kicked against one of the pillars, twirling his bat. "Isolde, you ready?" She stretched her arms above her head, a grin on her face.
"Ready as I can ever be,"
"Welcome back for the last match of this year! Today it is Slytherin against Gryffindor, the most anticipated match of the entire year! The ferocious beaters from Slytherin are the most dangerous ones, but the teamwork from the Gryffindor chasers is one of the best we've seen in years! The captains will shake hands, and after this, the match will start!"
San scowled at Amos' confident expression. His hands tightened around the broom as he leaned closer to Isolde.
"Look at that stupid smile on his face," he hissed.
"I'll break all of his teeth so he can't smile like this anymore," Isolde promised, cracking her neck.
"And all of them get on their broom," Felix said, the Hufflepuff sitting on the edge of his chair to look down on the field. "And the bludgers have been released, the snitch and... there goes the quaffle, it's released- AND MCCLAGGEN FROM GRYFFINDOR HAS THE QUAFFLE! He's flying like he's late to charms, really-"
San and Isolde shoot up at the exact same time, both of them chasing after a different bludger. San swings his bat, getting the Gryffindor beaters from their route.
You sat on the edge of your seat, eyes locked on San as he chased after a bludger, dragging the bludger along as he flew over the field.
San swung first- a massive CRACK when the bat makes contact with the bludger that screams through the air.
"AND A GREAT SHOT FROM CHOI SAN AND IT'S HEADING STRAIGHT FORRR....- AMOS!"
The bludger grazes his ankle, making Amos look over his shoulder in worry. Isolde clacked her tongue, her eyes focused on the Gryffindor.
She swung her bat too and hit the bludger. With Amos' eyes focused on the other one, he didn't see this one coming, and it got hit right in his face.
The crowd gasps. The Gyffindors jumped up and started booing, while the Slytherins jumped up in joy, whooping. Amos dropped the quaffle, and a chaser from Slytherin grabbed it quickly. San smirked, and when Isolde passed, they high-fived each other. Isolde shot him a wink.
"AISH- That looks like that hurt... Is his nose broken? Maybe, you can't see the blood with how red his robes are..." Felix continued.
Amos wiped the liquid from under his nose, blood covering his sleeve. He looked up at San, jaw clenched and furrowed brow. San stared back at him, cocking one eyebrow before darting away.
"Oh- Slytherin is playing nasty today!" Felix continued the commentary. "The beaters seem to be hyper-focused on the Gryffindors' Chasers- especially Amos, I wouldn't want to be him at the-"
"Right! Sorry, Professor- Slytherin has the Quaffle, get closer and closer- watch out for that bludger, Ak- Okay! No need to worry for a bludger when you have two amazing beaters like that!"
Your hands were tangled in your hair as you watched San drift away, another Bludger, his eyes locked on target. Amos.
The bludger hit his broom, making him spin in all different directions.
"Hit him harder!" Jongho shouted.
"They're playing nasty," Seonghwa mumbled, biting his nail.
"Of course they are," Jongho deadpanned. "San and Isolde are pissed."
"For what?" you asked, eyes focusing on the Slytherin. Jongho turned to look at you, raising his eyebrow.
"What do you think?" Jongho chuckled. "What could get San so pissed that you manage to get hyper-focused on during a Quidditch match?"
You blinked at him, threading your fingers through your hair. You had an idea... but you didn't want to say it.
"You, Y/N, it's you," Jongho helped. "Has he still not said anything to you?"
"AND ANOTHER HIT FROM CHOI SAN TO AMOS! NOW MADAM HOOCH IS MAD!"
A shrill sound echoed over the field. Madam Hooch flew over to San and Isolde and started shouting, pointing at Amos, who looked a little dazed at this point.
"Me?" you whispered, blinking at him. Jongho groaned, hiding his face in his hands.
"Has he not said anything yet?!" he shouted. "OH my god- Y/N, listen to me!" He turned to you, hands grabbing your shoulders. "He likes you! He's liked you for ages! But he's too much of a bitch to tell you! Because he doesn't want to make you uncomfortable- Bloody hell, Y/N, I cannot handle his whining about you any longer!"
"It's seventy to twenty for Slytherin and- OH BLIMEY! THERE GOES AMOS!"
Amos had fallen off his broom, another bludger to his stomach, taking him out as he fell on the field. San laughed, bumping his bat with Isolde. Hongjoong rushed down to the ground, checking on his chaser.
"And Amos is out for the count, no way that he can get back up again after six bludgers to his body..."
Amos got carried off the field by someone, leaving Gryffindor with only two chasers.
"And the match continues- let's hope for everybody that the Slytherins either catch the snitch or stop playing so dirty and- OH GOD!"
San turned around, curious about what was happening.
At first, he doesn’t even see it.
The world is loud, wind slapping his ears, the roar of the crowd, Isolde shouting something about “LEFT, SAN, LEFT—!”
A white starburst of pain exploded behind his eyes, blinding him instantly. It felt like someone swung a metal cauldron straight into his cheekbone. His head whipped sideways so sharply that he nearly lost the broom.
For a split second, there was no thought - just ringing. Hands went numb. Vision blurred at the edges.
He tasted blood in his mouth but couldn’t tell where it came from.
He heard Isolde screaming his name from somewhere far away.
The crowd gasped.
San’s whole face was pulsing - hot, throbbing, like someone was stoking a fire under his skin.
He clutched his broom tighter, trying not to veer off course. The pain kept stabbing in waves, sharp enough to bring tears to his eyes - not that he’d admit it.
And yet, that voice. That voice brought him back to reality. He grabbed his broom tighter, shaking the blood from his face. His eyes watered so much he could barely see, but he steadied his broom, teeth gritted, refusing to fall.
He wiped the blood and tears away, gritting his teeth. He looked down at the stands. He could see you from miles away.
Your eyes were wide, hands clutching the scarf around your neck- his scarf. The scarf Amos had tried to get off of you, but now- there you were. In the Slytherin stands. With Slytherin colors. When he saw the face paint on your face, he smiled, face contorting as the pain shot through his head.
"San, are you okay?" Isolde was next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. She cringed as she looked at him, her upper lip curling. "Jesus- you look like shit!"
A large cut on his cheekbone formed, just under his eye. The swelling was immediate, and the skin looked hot and bright red. Blood seeped from his nose, a cut on his lip stretched out, and the area under his eye started to darken, also slight swelling.
"No shit-" San complained. As he talked, he felt a sharp pressure on his face. He looked at Isolde... Why were there multiple of her? "Let's continue, I have to win this stupid match now..." Isolde looked at him for a second, patting his shoulder before flying away.
"He looked like shit..." You mumbled, seeing the blood trail down his nose. "They have to win soon or-"
"And there goes the Slytherin Seeker!" Felix suddenly bellowed. "Jung was distracted by what happened to San, but he goes after him and- and- who will it be?! Who will be quicker?"
The entire field seemed to hold its breath.
"IT'S SLYTHERIN! SLYTHERIN WON! SLYTHERIN HAS THE QUIDDITCH CUP!"
A roar from the Slytherins echoed through the school grounds. San sighed in relief, lying on his broom as he screamed. Isolde was back to him soon, embracing him quickly, patting his back.
"I've never had such an intense game," he admitted, making Isolde crack up.
"San," his captain was in front of him. She looked at him carefully, her face draining of color as she looked at him. "Go to the hospital wing," San opened his mouth, but the realization of his throbbing headache made him shut up. He simply nodded and flew off.
"Mr. Choi, sit still, for goodness' sake- you're swelling by the minute."
San winced as she pressed her wand gently to the bruised side of his face. The cooling charm spread across his cheekbone like a sheet of cold water, easing the worst of the burning throb. His vision cleared slightly, the pressure around his eye easing slowly but surely.
But the bruise stays. And the cut on his lip stings every time he breathes.
"The swelling will go down any minute," Madam Pomfrey promised. San sighed, sinking down in the pillows. He was just about to relax when-
He startled, jerking his head around too fast, which made pain shoot through his neck.
"Ah- Y/N, I- Ow," he hissed, his hand coming up to his neck.
You rushed toward him before he could fake a smile. Your eyes were wide as you scanned his face, hands hovering as you wanted to touch him, but didn't know where it hurt.
"Oh my god, San- How- I saw you get hit, but I didn't think that- Merlin, You look-"
"Handsome?" he tried, giving a crooked smile.
It made his lip sting, and he winced mid-smile.
You stared at him, eyes gentle as you looked at him.
"Hurt, you look hurt," you finally whisper.
And that- that hit him harder than the Bludger did.
He straightened up, shoulders trying to look broader, more stable, maybe less pathetic- even though the left side of his face is visibly swollen, even with Pomfrey's promise that it would go down. The face paint on your cheeks had smudged a little, probably from all the times you hid your face during the match.
"It's not that bad," he tried reassuring you.
You look at him like he's insane. Madam Pomfrey snorted at his sentence. San ignored her.
You step closer, finally placing your hands on his shoulders. The warmth of your fingers made his stomach churn.
"San- you almost fell from your broom. I saw you blinking like you were seeing double. How is that 'not bad'?"
He swallowed. He wanted to reassure you and to joke around a little. To be brave in front of you. To pretend it wasn't all that bad.
But your worried eyes were what floored him. So he softened, voice lower as he looked away, not daring to meet your eye.
"Of course it did!" you hissed, your fingers tightening around him.
Something warms unravels in his chest. At your loving gaze. At your worried gaze as your eyes travel over his body, ending at his eyes. He slowly lifted his hand, very carefully, and rested it over yours on his shoulder.
"I'm okay," he promised. "Promise, Y/N, really. Madam Pomfrey fixed the worst of it,"
"Nonsense," she mutters, still bustling around close to another bed. The red robes told both of you it was McClaggen. "He's lucky he didn't crack his cheekbone."
Your breath hitched, and San shot her a pleading glare - thanks for that.
Your hand reached up by instinct, fingers carefully brushing against his cheek, lightly, every so lightly, and he nearly stops breathing.
"Does it hurt?" you whispered.
"No," he lied immediately.
It hurt a lot. But the warmth of your touch overrode the ache. You studied him for a long moment, like you were memorizing his face to make sure it's all there.
He didn't look away. His soft brown eyes were focused on yours, his hands covering yours, his thumb rubbing over the back of your hand.
"You scared me," you whisper, voice barely audible.
San's heart stumbled and he gulped.
His voice was barely above a breath when he replied. "...I'm sorry,"
You sigh, and finally you sink down on the bed beside him. You were close, so close that he felt your sleeve brushing against his arm. He swallowed again. He was nervous, but this nervousness had nothing to do with pain.
"Next time," you spoke softly. "Just be careful, please. You don't have to get hit for Slytherin to win."
He let out a gentle laugh. Quiet. Warm. And a little shaky...
"For you? I'll try," he said, meeting your eyes.
His chest felt too small with how hard his heart was beating. And even with the bruises throbbing on his face, this, your worry, and your closeness made him feel warmer than any healing charm.
It took a lot of convincing to get Madam Pomfrey to let him go. Isolde had picked up his bat and broom, promising not to steal his broom, wink. But finally, the two of you are walking out.
The castle was quiet. Most of the torches were dimmed, the corridors echoed softly with the sets of two footsteps- Sans and yours.
The swelling was less now. The thing that was left was a cut and a deep purple crescent under one of his eyes. He looked tired. And unfairly handsome. Maybe it was the tousled dark hair, the beautiful soft eyes, or- no. It was his eyes. Definitely his eyes. That looked at you like you were the only thing that mattered to him.
San adjusted his robes with his uninjured hand, glancing down at you every few steps. You'd been walking side-by-side in silence, this warm, comfortable silence that you knew very well.
Finally, he cleared his throat.
"Thank you, for- well- y'know, waiting this whole time," he finally spoke.
"You would've done the same," you shrug.
He smiled, that goofy smile you'd known for five years now, that one that made his eyes crinkle - and made him hiss in pain this time.
But your head was working. It kept repeating what Jongho had told him. You didn't want to tell him now. He was hurt, and you didn't want to make him more emotional now. But- it's that near-injury, all the worry and closeness.
"Jongho told me," Something inside you pushed the words out.
San slowed his steps, brows knit together as he looked at the back of your head.
Now he froze. His eyes widened. The torchlight flickers across his stunned face... and he cursed.
"Bloody hell- shit- I mean- I didn't-" he groaned. He rubbed the back of his neck, winching because the motion pulled on his bruised side. "Merlin's beard- I can't believe he did that- I wasn't ready to say anything, I'm so sorry, I-"
You stepped closer as he continued ranting, taking a shaky breath.
"San," you interrupted gently. "It's okay,"
He blinked at you, caught between panic and- maybe a little bit of hope.
You were smiling. That stupid soft, shy smile that he was used to.
That hit him harder than the bludger.
He opened his mouth- his heart leaped. And he's staring at you like he doesn't trust his own ears.
"...You do? Really?" he whispered, his voice cracking a little.
San sucked in a breath, looking at you like his entire world had tilted. Like something inside him finally broke, all that tension, all that waiting, all those moments, all those words.
The Slytherin stepped closer, carefully. His hand hovered by your waist, unsure but aching to touch.
"Can I..." he glanced up at you. "Please?"
You sigh, looking at him. Even with the bruise, even in the dark with the torches around, he looked handsome. As handsome as ever. And still- you could see that happy boy you met in the Hogwarts Express that very first day. A smile curled up your lips.
That was it. That was all he needed.
San cupped the side of your jaw, with his uninjured hand, and leaned in slowly, like he'd chase you away.
And then- he kissed you. Finally.
He pressed your lips together, his hand tightening around your waist. It was warm, and desperate, and gentle- everything as once. He kissed you like he'd been thinking about this for months, like he's terrified you'd vanish if he doesn't keep his mouth on you.
You grabbed the front of his robes, fingers curling in the green uniform, pulling him closer. He made a tiny sound, a soft inhale against your mouth, a little whine, and he deepened the kiss, lips moving with a sweetness that felt like gravity.
You tilted your head for better access. His hands tightened around your waist, pulling you closer, if it was physically possible.
Your hands slid up his chest, one arm wrapping around his neck, the other wanting to cup his face-
Your skin was cold against his, and then-
He broke the kiss with a sharp inhale, his eyes squeezing shut as he caught your wrist, his face moving. You froze as he took a deep breath. You froze.
San laughed breathlessly, shaking his head before leaning his forehead against yours.
"You just- touched the bruise..." he mumbled, a smile still on his lips. "It's fine, just- just quite sensivie,"
You bit your lip, your cheeks heating up. He smiled widely, thumb brushing gently along your jaw. You opened your mouth, but he shook his head.
"Don't apologize," he whispered. "Not after- this."
You chuckled, wrapping your arms around him and hugging him closely. San was blushing, his neck and ears flushed. He hid his face in your neck, holding you close. When he pulled back, he nudged your nose with his.
"Can-" he chuckled, barely able to continue speaking. "...Can I kiss you again? Just- Maybe, perhaps, avoid the left side of my face this time? Please?"
You grin, running your hand through his hair, making it even more tousled.
"Get over here, beater boy."
San beamed. And he listens, of course - he kissed you softly, your hand this time cupping the good side of his face.
He tilted his head, kissing you as if you'd disappear, while the castle slept around you.
The following day, you walked into the great hall, a wide smile on your face. You sat down next to Yeji, close to Yunho and Seonghwa. Yunho glanced up at you, raising his eyebrow.
His eyes twinkled as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice, a smile on his face.
“Good morning to you, too,” he smiled. “How was your afternoon yesterday?” You glared at him, but your smile couldn’t be contained.
“Just fine,” you mumbled. “Why do you ask?” Yunho shrugged.
“Just that we haven’t seen you all day after you went to visit San in the hospital wing,” Seonghwa continued. “And we didn’t even see you in the common room in the evening, where have you been all day?”
“You two sound like older brothers,” you mumbled, grabbing a piece of toast.
“Well, you’re completely right,”
You and Yeji rolled your eyes, with Yeji sneering at the two.
“Y/N, fess up,” she demanded, her cat-like eyes narrowing as she looked at you. “What happened?” You took a bite of your toast, looking at all three of them quickly. “Don’t lie,” you cleared your throat, hiding your gaze.
The three burst out in cheers. Yeji’s jaw dropped; Yunho cheered and pumped his fist in the air, and Seonghwa sighed in relief, dropping his head on his hands.
“Bloody finally,” Seonghwa groaned. You chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck.
“This took so long, my god-“ Yeji complained.
“I’m so happy for you, Y/N,” Yunho smiled. “It only took- five years, but it’s okay,”
“So what’s the neck step?” Yeji asked, glancing at you. “You better keep this streak going, hell no that we’re going to lose it now,”
“The next step?” You mumbled, blinking at her.
“Oh my go- Y/N, we’re not going to let you wait ages again for this dude to take action and-“ Yeji’s words got stuck in her throat as she caught a glimpse of someone behind you. You raised your eyebrow, turning around to see what was up behind you.
“Hello there,” San’s warm hands closed around your shoulders, beaming as he sat down next to you.
The swelling had gone down, and his cheekbone finally got its shape back of the cheekbone. His eye and the skin under it were still pretty bruised, especially the cheekbone was still deep purple; the ring around the worst of the bruise had started to become green-yellowish. The cut on his cheekbone was closed, but you could see the scar from it. The cut on his lip had closed, but it threatened to open up as he smiled.
“San,” you smiled, turning to look at him. “Hey! How are you?”
“I’m fine,” he nodded, glancing at Yunho and Seonghwa. “Hi guys,”
“You look like shit,” Yunho gaped. “I have never been this hurt by a bludger before-“
“That’s a lie,” Seonghwa said immediately. “Third year, you fell down from your broom and hit the goalpost,” Yunho glanced at him before going back to his breakfast.
“Y/N, I wanted to ask you something,” San mumbled. “I’ve heard a little rumor- a little birdie told me that McClaggen is still not out of the hospital wing… Which is so sad for you because you were going to Hogsmeade with him, that’s so sad for you, Y/N.” You could see the sly grin on his face; he didn’t feel bad that he was still in the hospital wing at all. “So… I will volunteer myself to go to Hogsmeade with you,” You raised your eyebrow, smile teasing your lips.
“Who says I want to go with you?” You teased. San’s smile faltered for a little.
“Y/N, don’t play with my heart,” San pouted, pressing his hand against his chest. “Don’t do this to me,” You chuckled, poking his side, making him jump.
“I’m joking, Sannie,” you smiled. “I’d love to go with you,”
“As a date, right?!” Yeji interrupted the two of you, giving San a stern look. San nodded curtly.
“Of course, as a date,” he mumbled. “You offend me, Yeji, that you think so little of me,” Yeji recoiled, her cheeks heating up as she mumbled under her breath. “Get ready, then we can leave!”
You have never gotten ready that fast, changing quickly into better clothing before running back up. San was waiting for you at the doors, a large smile on his face.
“There they are,” San chuckled, offering you his arm. “Let’s go?”
Hogsmeade with San was like before. It was still all laughs and giggles and pointing at all the fun things to buy. San was complaining about the O.W.L.s and that he was sure he failed History of Magic.
“San, you never paid attention in those lessons!” You chuckled. “It isn’t weird if you didn’t study properly for it.”
“I studied fine!” San protested, but his voice died down slightly. “Okay- maybe not as good as I did with Care of magical creatures, but I did study!”
“We’ll see,” you shrugged, intertwining your hands together. “We have so long before we get the results.”
“I am not excited to get the results,” San sighed, swinging your hands and arms dramatically as the two of you walked. “My mom will kill me if I fail any subjects!”
“Well, then I’d say be prepared to get killed.” You laughed. San spluttered, his eyes wide as he looked at you.
“Do you have that little trust in me, Y/N?”
“From experience, if you say you think you failed, you probably failed.” San scowled, shaking his head as he walked after you. “In here!” He spun on his heels as you dragged him into Honeydukes. The sweet smell of all sweets entered your nose as you walked. San walked after you, following you as you walked around the store, getting all the things to buy. Not even five minutes later, San was walking around with his hands full of all the candy, chocolate, and other things you wanted to get. “What else should I get?”
“Get a few more chocolate frogs,” San smiled, nodding at the stack of chocolate frogs. “I want a few,” You grabbed a stack, before dragging him to the counter.
“Will that be all?” The shop owner asked, chuckling at San’s armful of sweets.
“Yes, thank you,” you answered, handing the coins to him. You opened your bag, and San glared at you.
“You had a bag the entire time?!” He exclaimed. You chuckled, nodding as you held it open so he could dump everything in.
“I forgot,” you mumbled. “I’m sorry!” San clacked his tongue, shaking his head as he followed you outside.
“Making me do all this hard work, carrying everything around while you had a bag?” He continued complaining. “Very evil of you, Y/N,” You rolled your eyes, glancing at him as he continued complaining, while taking over your bag and holding it for you.
“I’m sorry!” You repeated again. “Stop complaining,”
“You’ve hurt my heart,” he continued, narrowing his eyes to glare at you. He continued his charade of complaints as he followed you, making you roll your eyes at him. You put your hands on your hips as you stared at him, a smile tugging on your lips as you poked the inside of your cheek. “And I can definitely say that-“
You grabbed his collar, pulling him closer and pressing a chaste kiss on his lips. San made a small noise at the back of his throat, lips parted as he stared at you. A flush started on his neck, which slowly crept up to his ears.
“Are you done with complaining now?” You asked, tilting your head as a dopey smile turned on his face. San nodded quickly.
“Nothing to complain about at the moment,” he said, smiling. He hissed a little, his cheekbone hurting as he smiled a little too widely, turning his face away from you. Your gaze softened, hand coming up to brush your fingers over his heated skin.
“Are you okay?” You mumbled, looking at the bruises. “Does it hurt a lot?”
“Doesn’t hurt a lot,” he promised. “It just- if I talk too much or if I smile too widely, it just hurts. But yknow- I cannot not smile when I’m with you,” You rolled your eyes, shoving his shoulder.
“You’re worrying me,” you groaned. “Bloody hell, San,”
“It’s okay,” he reassured. “Promise, Y/N,” You sighed, but San pulled you along.
“Come, let’s go back to the castle,”
The two of you walked back, hands intertwined. You were chatting his ears off, but in the distance, you saw a group of students coming toward you. San bit his lip, cursing softly.
“What?” You asked, glancing ahead of you. You froze, hand squeezing his. “San… You told me-“
A group of Gryffindors appeared in front of you. Three of these Gryffindors were, in fact, very familiar. Hongjoong and Wooyoung were among them. They smiled widely at you, waving at both you and San. Hongjoong still had a sour expression on his face as he caught a glimpse of San, still salty about the game from the day before.
“You look like you were in a fight with a Thestral,” Wooyoung laughed.
“Yeah, and the thestral won,” Hongjoong mumbled, but the slightest worry flickered across his face. “Are you okay, San?” San nodded curly, giving the captain a smile back. Hongjoong nodded slowly, his eyes flickering to your hands together. He smiled.
However, another Gryffindor was not so pleased. Amos's eyebrow raised as he looked at you. He looked bruised and a little disheveled, but very much not in the hospital wing like San had told you. Amos his eyes shot from San to you, before landing on your hands together. His eyes narrowed, his jaw locked.
“You stole my date, Choi!” He accused, walking closer to you as he drew his wand. “You little-“
“I didn’t steal anyone,” San shrugged, eyes hardening as he looked at him. “They chose to come here with him; it’s not like I kidnapped them. And besides, you were the one who was in the hospital wing, not me.” Amos grumbled, raising his hand right at San’s bruised face. San tensed up, reaching for his own wand.
“Amos-!” You called, stepping forward quickly.
But Amos wasn’t listening. His voice cracked with rage: “You were supposed to be here with me today!” You bit your lip, sighing. He was kinda right. San scoffed, his eyes went stone cold as he glared at the wand in his face.
“Put the wand down,” San warned. Amos's raging expression now turned back to him, and instead of backing off, which might be the smarter option, he instead stepped closer.
“You’d rather go with him!” He sneered. “Him? A cheating little Slytherin who- who probably bludgered me yesterday on purpose?”
“Mate, we were beating your team. I didn’t need to cheat,” You pressed a hand to San’s chest before he could lunge for his own wand and really start a fight. Amos swung the wand toward you now, face red, his chest heaving as he breathed.
“Why?” He spat, his eyes full of rage as he stared at you. “Why him? What’s wrong with you?”
“Excuse you?” You exclaim, staring at the Gryffindor in front of you. “What did you just say to me?!”
“What is wrong with you? How could you choose someone like him over-“
“Someone like you?” San barked out a laugh, throwing his head back in amusement. Amos clenched his jaw, glaring at the Slytherin. “Oh…. Bloody hell,”
“Come on, Y/N, you cannot choose to be with someone like him!” Amos continued, his gaze snapping back to you.
You raised your eyebrow, your patience snapping clean in half.
You take one step forward, a fake sweet smile curling up your lips.
“Well,” you began sweetly, “At least the cheating Slytherin doesn’t throw a temper tantrum every time something doesn’t go his way. Tell me, Amos, how many times have you been rejected in your life to be this insecure?”
San choked on his own breath. His hands flew up to cover his mouth as his shoulders shook with laughter. Amos’ face turned from red to purple.
“You- You-“ he stuttered. “You-“
“Me?” You asked, tilting your head. “Yes, me. The Hufflepuff who turned you down. Clearly, that’s what this is about.”
San let out a snort, very loud, and immediately coughed to try and hide it, eyes watering from surpassing his laughter. Amos spun toward him immediately, his wand still pointed at him.
“Wipe that smile off your face, Choi!” He hissed.
“Can’t,” San replied, laughing even though the bruises started aching as he did. “Permanent condition 'round them,”
You slapped his arm, and he pouted, only for a second, before he started laughing again.
“Is that it?” You asked, looking back at Amos. “Anything relevant to tell me? You’re kind of wasting my time here.”
“Y/N,” Amos started again, his smug voice gone. It made place for exasperation, his eyes wide as he almost begged you. “Please give me a chance, I can show you what you’re missing.”
“Clearly nothing interesting,” you grabbed San’s arm and dragged him along. “Goodbye, Amos! See you later, Joong, Woo!” Hongjoong and Wooyoung smiled and waved at you, tactically moving to block the path before Amos decided to throw spells around.
You were silent as you dragged San back toward the castle. San gnawed on his lip as he looked at you, your jaw clenched. You weren’t mad at him, were you? He should’ve just asked normally to go to Hogsmeade and not said that McClaggen had been in the hospital wing. Because quite frankly, he hadn’t.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
You finally spoke again as the two of you walked into the castle. San gulped, scratching the back of his neck. He glanced up, smiling sheepishly as he looked at you.
“What are you talking about?” He asked in a sweet tone, his voice cracking at the end.
“He was in the hospital wing today!” San mumbled. “He was!”
“… I saw him walking back before I went to breakfast today… I’m sorry!” He added quickly. “I didn’t know he’d go to Hogsmeade today…”
“Why didn’t you just… ask me?” You asked, walking through the corridors. “I would’ve said yes.”
“Would you?” San asked, his eyes wide. You stopped in your tracks, staring at the Slytherin with wide eyes.
“San,” you said, chuckling lightly. “Darling, we were kissing in the hallway yesterday.”
“Well- we didn’t make anything official yet and I- I-“ he opened his mouth, looking around so he wouldn’t have to meet your eyes. Finally, his arms fell down to his sides. “I- don’t know… I don’t know what I thought,” You chuckled, taking one step closer, forcing him to look back at you.
“Should we make something official?” You asked, biting your lip to suppress your grin. San blinked at you, before his smile returned, his eyes twinkling.
“You serious?” He asked in a breathless voice. You nodded, waiting for him to continue speaking. “Well- uhm-“ he cleared his throat, straightening his shoulders as he looked at you. You chuckled at how he was mentally preparing himself for asking the question, while he should know damn well what your answer would be. “Y/N, would you like it if we were exclus-“
“Definitely!” You interrupted him, throwing your arms around his neck. San wrapped his arms around you quickly, taking a few steps back to regain his balance. “Finally…”
“Finally?!” San exclaimed, leaning back to look at you. “What do you mean, finally?”
“San, I’ve been waiting for you to ask this for ages!” You complained. “I thought you were going to ask last year at the ball, but no! You were very clear that we were, in fact, not together! I even wore green for you.”
San mentally kicked himself for not realizing the signs. Shit…
“I should’ve listened to Jongho,” he sighed, dropping his head back. “You were wearing green for me…”
“I’m glad you’re the one saying so,” San scowled, rolling his eyes. But after, he leaned down, pressing a kiss on your cheek.
“So…” he started, his voice lowering a little. He grinned as he spoke. “Since we’re together now, I think it’s very- very rude that I haven’t even gotten a kiss for winning the match yesterday,”
“Oh? Really?” You asked, letting go to cross your arms in front of you. “And the situation in the corridors last night?”
“That was because I was hurt,” San said quickly, a little too quickly. He had thought about this, a hundred percent. He pouted as he pointed at the still very dark bruise on his face. “I’m still hurt, Y/N. You can’t bully me,” You clacked your tongue, rolling your eyes playfully. “So, now, give me a kiss,”
“I’m not going to kiss you in the middle of the hallway,” you said firmly, glancing around. San sighed, looking around with you.
“Others, or worse, a professor!”
“Oh, Y/N, that won’t happen!”
“Yes, it will. Especially with your luck!”
San rolled his eyes again, but before he could say anything else, a noise made both of you turn to look. Slowly, but surely, a door started appearing in the wall. You stared at the door with wide eyes.
“How did we get to the room of requirement?” You asked with wide eyes. San laughed, shrugging.
“I think you just summoned the room of requirement by refusing to kiss me,” he teased.
“San, that’s not what happened, I-“
But San had grabbed your hand, pulling you to the room of requirement like a kid running into Honeydukes.
The room was perfect. With warm lightning, a soft couch, blankets, floating candles, and even a fireplace that roared with fire. You gaped as you looked around the room, laughing at the absurdity of it. San put your bag down carefully, and he wasted zero seconds. As you walked into the room, he rushed after you, spinning you around, his hands on your waist. His voice was low and bright with excitement.
“Okay,” he whispered, his ears starting to turn red. “We’re not in the hallway anymore, now kiss me.”
You snorted, shaking your head as your arms rested on his shoulder. You carefully pressed against one of his bruises, making him wince dramatically.
“So demanding,” you laughed, and that’s what he took as indentation.
He leaned in, kissing you with the enthusiasm of someone who had been waiting to do this again. Like he’d been longing to do it again since last night. His hands slid up your back, fingers curling in your robes. He kisses you like he’s memorizing every second, soft, then deeper, and then soft again.
Your arms tighten around his neck, pulling him down more. One of your hands tangled in his hair, pulling slightly. He groaned slightly into your mouth, a smile curling on his lips.
“Don’t- don’t do that.. Unless you want me to lose my mind,”
You smiled, pulling him into a kiss again. Your hand moved to his jaw to cup his face, and your finger brushed over a bruise. He pulled back, wincing slightly, but still smiling.
“You’re not fragile,” you laughed, glancing down quickly at his arms.
“I’m very fragile. Kiss me to heal me,”
You shoved him playfully, making him fall onto the couch. He took advantage of the fall, pulling you down with him, your legs on both sides of him, caging him in as you leaned against the back, making sure not to fully fall on him.
“Is this okay?” He asked, hands returning to your hips. He just rested his hands there, waiting for your response.
You grabbed him by the front of his shirt, tugging him forward and kissing him again.
San’s control shattered. He kissed you back harder, deeper, one hand in your hair and the other gripping your waist, pulling you flush against him until you can feel his heartbeat racing.
When your lips part for a breath, you could hear him whisper.
“God- I love kissing you, you have no idea, Y/N,”
He kisses the corner of your lips, your jaw, his lips just barely brushing your neck before hungrily returning to your lips. He giggled softly.
“San! Stop laughing!” You whispered, hands on his shoulders.
“I can’t,” he said against your lips, “You’re kissing me. How do you expect me to function, Y/N, really?”
You rolled your eyes, sealing the kiss once again. And this time, he fully melted into you. His arms wrapped around you, holding you like you’re the only thing in the world that mattered to him at that moment.
You don’t make it out of that room for a while.
It takes ages for the two of you to peel yourselves off the velvet couch, hair a mess, lips swollen slightly, and cheeks warm. San looked at you with stars in his eyes. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to fix the mess that you created with how many times you ran your hands through his hair. You grabbed the bag he’d left at the entrance, laughing as he tried to make himself presentable.
“Okay,” he finally murmured, clearing his throat. His voice was slightly low and a little rough from all the kissing. “We just walk out normally. Nobody is there anyway.”
You hummed, nodding. “Right, totally normal.”
San opened the door first, holding it open for you as the two of you stepped out. San linked your arms together, giggling softly.
You two had taken three steps down the hall and-
When you turn around, standing there, looking like the absolute picture of suspicion and judgment was…
Her arms were crossed, mouth pressed into the sharpest line you’ve ever seen. Her eyes flicked from your disheveled hair - even though you tried fixing it - to San’s crooked collar, to the still disappearing door of the room of Requirement behind you. San whispers, barely audible:
McGonagall lifted her eyebrow so slowly it felt personal.
“Mr. Choi. Miss Y/L/N,” her voice was low, dangerously low. The tone she used when people really fucked up. “Would either of you care to explain why you have a… classroom that does not exist, at an hour you should be both in your common rooms, looking…” she paused. Her gaze drifted over the two of you again. You and San glance at each other quickly. “… rather rumpled?”
You bit your lip, looking down at the floor, that you would’ve loved would swallow you whole right now.
San opened his mouth. And closes it. Opens it again. Nothing comes out. McGonagall sighed, rather deeply.
“Yes?” He mumbled, voice cracking.
“Kindly fix your collar. You look like you’ve been in a windstorm.”
You quickly face away so she won’t see how hard you’re biting your lip to keep from laughing. San fumbles with the fabric, his cheeks scarlet.
“S-sorry, professor,” he stuttered out.
She inhaled sharply through her nose, closing her eyes for a second.
“Well,” she said after a few moments. “Considering that you are both clearly… alive, clothed, and not hexing each other. I haven’t seen anything.”
San let out a big breath of relief, and you sighed, almost collapsing as the stress left your body.
“But-“ she added. “If I discover that either of you has been participating in… extracurricular activities in the sensitive rooms of the castle-“
San choked, and you groaned, head in your hands.
“- I will not hesitate to assign detention with Professor Snape. Both of you.” She continued, unbothered.
All the color that was still there drains from San’s face. Not the head of his house, that would be even worse than her!
The two of you turn around and quickly rush out of the hallway. When you were out of her sight, you choked out a laugh.
“That’s why we’re not kissing in hallways!” You hissed, San laughed, running down the stairs as he pulled you along. “We’re never kissing again!”
“Don’t be silly, of course we are!”
"It surprises me how bruised it still is," you mumbled, the pad of your finger craefully tracing over the discolored skin. San clenched his jaw, trying to sit still as you moved over the achy skin. "Your mom is going to freak out,"
"Tell me something I didn't know yet," he mumbled, holding onto both of your suitcases.
The train came to a halt with a shock, and soon, he heard the click of the locks being unlocked. San leaned forward, giving you a quick kiss on the cheek that made your eyes widen, before swinging the doors open. He hauled out both suitcases and held his hand out for you. You grabbed his hand and hopped off the train. San rolled both of the suitcases away, and you decided not to complain anymore. It was to no avail anyway.
"You have to come to my house this summer," you demanded. 'I've been to your house so many times, but you never come to mine!" San shrugged.
"That's just how it went," he mumbled. "But I'll come this time, I promise."
"Maybe after your birthday, we can go to my house?" you suggested. Before he had any time to respond, a shriek sounded over Kings Cross.
"Shit," he cursed. He looked up to see his parents hurry to him, his mother's eyes focused on his face. "Hi mom, hi dad!"
"What happened to you?!" she gasped. "Darling what-"
"Just a bludger to the face," San explained quickly. "Nothing else, mom. Really."
"Hi Y/N," his dad spoke, a smile on his face. "So nice to see you again,"
"I have news!" San interrupted his mother quickly. "Uhm- Y/N and I- we're- kinda- together..."
"Definitely together," He looked at his parents for a second.
"Oh- we already knew this, darling," his mother spoke. "It's been years, right? Why are you only telling us this now?"
You doubled over with laughter, while San could only stare at his parents, his jaw dropped.
"Oh- you are quite obvious, love,"
How did this turn into a fic of 21K?! I've never had such a long one shot bfore- MY TUMBLR IS CRASCHING AS I WRTIE THIS WHAT OKAY GOODBYE-
