cresswelldâ:
âThe Department of Mysteries?â Dirk let out a low whistle. He didnât know much at all about what they did there but then wasnât that the point? He knew it involved some of the most complicated experimental magic. âWow, thatâs amazing. Congratulations!â He grinned at his friend, for a moment forgetting that they were both half-naked and he had been trying not to look at Fabian in case he was tempted to stare. He even took a step forward with the intention of giving the seventh year a hug but he faltered as awareness returned when Fabian turned to get more body scrub. Dirkâs eyes drifted over bubble-covered skin and colour rose in his cheeks.
He hesitated a little longer when Fabian beckoned him over but there was no way of refusing the soap without being rude. He kept his focus on the liquid soap in his hand instead of the boy giving it to him and he took a self-conscious step back, turning slightly away before he started to spread it over his shoulders, not wanting to feel like he was putting on a display.
âIââ The word caught in his mouth, which he found had gone dry. He swallowed and dipped under the water to wash away some of the bubbles that had built up to give himself time to compose himself. âI normally help out at my dadâs place, so Iâll go there if I canât do anything else but I was looking at some of the Ministryâs summer programmes. Thereâs one in International Magical Cooperation which looks interesting.â In truth, Dirk was torn because he did enjoy working at his dadâs garage and it would be the last summer he could really live in the muggle world but it was important to think about his future and develop some of the Ministry connections he knew a lot of his classmates already had and which would help him in securing a career.
âThank you!â Fabian beamed at the sound of his friend congratulating. Given the good news and the tone of Dirkâs voice, the older Ravenclaw felt like maybe they should be doing something more... celebratory. Maybe later. Once they finished and get out of the bathroom.
âHow is it?â Fabian asked as he watched Dirk try on the scrub. âThe scrub, I mean? The tiny beads might feel a bit rough at first but youâll really feel it scrubbing your skin. Your skin will feel great right after too!â One of the reasons that it was Fabianâs favourite one was the fact that it was thick enough that he can use it to scrub his body parts that were submerged in water. Usually, heâll already work his way down his torso and lower but, given that he was in the presence of someone else, Fabian just worked to lather his legs.
Fabian forgot that he was taking a bath when he heard the shift in Dirkâs voice. Here he was pent up and worried about his future, it didnât even occur to him to ask how his friend was doing. He waded until he was in front of the other boy once more, hoping to catch his expression. âThat sounds great!â He exclaimed. âDo you know already what you need to do? If not, I can ask for you? Surely the person who contacted me knows someone who could help.â


















