i am finally back from my week long, forced hiatus. and i wrote a little something while i suffered. i rewatched the entire harry potter series out of sheer boredom and it gave me the need to write what was originally going to be a yule ball drabble and instead turned into something kinda sad lol. enjoy.
Absolutely no one inside of Hogwarts is surprised when Billy Hargrove, sixth year, captain and beater for the Gryffindor quidditch team, is chosen for the Triwizard Tournament. He’s the first person belonging to Hogwarts that tosses his name in, and his name is the first to fly out in a plume of purple fire, landing gracefully in the Headmaster’s hand. His name is called, the entirety of Gryffindor cheers, and Billy smiles like he’s already won the cup.
Across the room, sitting with the rest of the Hufflepuffs, Steve Harrington—seventh year, prefect, quidditch captain and keeper– rolls his eyes as Billy peacocks around for his fellow Gryffindors, and tries not to appear fond in any way shape or form.
Later that night, when they find each other in the Forbidden Forest, Steve tries his best to quail the concern in his stomach that’s been growing since the goblet spat out his boyfriend’s name. Billy arrives in the form of a large, blonde wolf, barreling through the trees more like an excited puppy than a dangerous predator. He skids to a halt in front of Steve and shifts back into a human, lips pulled back in a wide smile, white canines slowly sinking back into normal, blunt teeth.
“Harrington,” he breathes, lungs empty of air because of his excitement rather than his run. “Harrington,” he repeats—purrs—while taking two more steps toward the other boy. Steve takes two steps back, lets Billy crowd him against the closest tree, lets him press his face into his neck and breathe hot, wet breaths against his skin. He smiles despite himself, curls his fingers into Billy’s hips, and closes his eyes.
“Congratulations,” he says, and he means it despite his worry. The Triwizard Tournament is all Billy’s been able to talk about for months. He wanted it so bad, and now he has it. Now he’s a competitor. Now he will fight tooth and nail for victory and fame. Now he will put his life on the line for a title.
It’s not something Steve understands—dying just to prove yourself—but he also knows he and Billy come from two very different worlds. Steve grew up a wizard, a pure-blood, from one of the most well-known magical families in the entire world. He’s never had to fight for anything. Billy, however, didn’t even know magic existed until six years ago. A muggle born who saw magic and Hogwarts as his saving grace. Grace that plucked him from the nightmare that waits for him back home. A boy of only sixteen who has had to fight for every little thing he has. A man who is still desperate to prove himself to a world that both loves him for his talent and judges him over his heritage.
“You’ll do great,” Steve says, and swallows down his deepest fears and worries because he doesn’t want to ruin this for Billy. Billy who kisses him like Steve will somehow give him the breath he can’t find. Whose hands search and pull at Steve’s robes until he can get his fingers on warm, pale skin. Whose lips suck and teeth nip at Steve’ neck, shoulders, and chest, until Steve is trembling and needing.
Billy who laughs like he’s already won, and pulls back with a glint in his eye before shifting and taking off deeper into the dangerous dark woods. He howls as he disappears, inviting Steve to follow, challenging Steve to chase.
Steve who is terrified and fraught with worry but loves so hard he can’t do the smart thing and walk away. Steve whose Animagus matches Billy’s claw for claw, the only difference between them being the coloring. Thick, rich brown fur, shining under the moonlight as he bounds into the forest after what is his. What he hopes, after all this is said and done, is still his.
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