A/N:  Writing this story was a total roller coaster of emotions, and so far this has stressed me more than writing Nocturne, to be honest. Thanks to everyone who waited patiently for this, hope that the 10k+ words compensates for the long wait. Also, here are the meanings of the incantations (these are lifted from google translate, so apologies if they were wrong!):

Iam Revoca Mihi Potestas – grant me the power to bring back the past
Da mihi virtutem corpus portabit - grant me the power to suffer the consequences

Lastly, let's all support Infinite and Hoya in their future endeavors!

(cross posted on AO3 if y'all wanted to read it offline :) )

It's barely noon yet the Sunggyu already feels tired from evading Gryffindors since breakfast.

He was barely out of the dungeons when he almost bumped into Sungyeol who was lurking suspiciously. Sunggyu decided it was too early to confront (and get annoyed at) Sungyeol so he decided to take another route to the Great Hall.

As soon as he neared the Great Hall, second year Gryffindor students Byun Baekhyun and Kim Jongdae was about to set off dung bombs that Sunggyu gratefully evaded. He sent a triumphant smirked at the disappointed Gryffindors that sent a spike of pleasure through him as he ate his breakfast as peaceful as he could.

But it didn't end there.

As soon as breakfast ended, Sunggyu found himself walking towards the hallways leading to the library (thank Merlin for Free Period) with the sole intention of isolating himself until his next class – which happens to be History of Magic with, of course, Gryffindors.

Maybe Hoya was right. He really was a Gryffindor magnet.

Just as the library seemed so close at the end of the hallway, Sunggyu’s luck seemed to finally run out. (too bad he doesn’t have Charms today, would have been nice to see Professor Bell and be blessed with luck because seriously, the woman’s a walking supply of good fortune).

“Sunggyu. Hey wait up!”

Merlin's shriveled blue balls.

Sunggyu quickly backtracked his steps and turned towards where he came from, pointedly ignoring the Gryffindor student stalking him from the other end of the corridor. Great. Of all the people who could have seen him, why does it have to be Jackson Wang?

Who, in Salazar Slytherin’s holier than thou name, is Jackson Wang, you ask? Well, he’s a Gryffindor (obviously) a year younger than Sunggyu and a recent member of Professor Slughorn’s Slug Club. The kid seemed to have been fascinated with Sunggyu after the Slytherin was forced to talk to him on the club’s party, and ever since then he would always follow Sunggyu’s steps, only justifying Hoya’s theory of him being a Gryffindor magnet.

Sunggyu found himself quickening his pace, almost cursing at anyone and everyone who dared blocked his way. But no matter how much he tried to increase their distance, Jackson seemed to easily catch up on him. With no choice left, Sunggyu crossed over the courtyard – a famous hotspot where tons of Gryffindors (read: Nam Woohyun and his gang of pranksters) happen to hang out. And judging on the boisterous commotion, it seemed like Woohyun has something up his sleeve once more.

So, what better thing to do than walk faster, right?

Sunggyu found himself rubbing at his ring furiously as he ducked his head, avoiding being seen by Woohyun and his own set of Death Eaters (it was fitting, in Sunggyu’s opinion) as well as Jackson’s insistent hollers of his name –

Oh, e.

The only choice he has is to quicken his pace and avoid looking at anyone and everyone, even ignoring the hollers of his name and warnings that vaguely sounded like “look out” and –

Before he knew it, something swished by just above his head, and he was sure it grazed his head as he felt the buzzing sensation that can be compared to a razor that he once saw during Muggle studies. And if recalls it correctly, razors are used to lessen or cut extra body hair.

His ears seemed to ring as his hands quickly grasped the area where a mope of his supposedly long fringe was with a curse (he was sure it’s one of the unforgivable) already resting at the tip of his tongue.

“Nice hair, Sunggyu.” The Slytherin instinctively turned around just in time to see Woohyun catching a frisbee – a fanged frisbee, for Merlin’s sake – with a taunting smile on his face.

“Oh, maybe I should start calling you Penguin Gyu. What do you reckon, guys?”

Needless to say, it didn’t take that long before Sunggyu’s lost fringe came back. And Woohyun spend the rest of the day – and well until after noon the next day – in the hospital wing vomiting slugs. The detention was almost worth it, Sunggyu reckons, if only the rest of the school would stop calling him Penguin Gyu.

Sunggyu opened his eyes and found himself standing outside the Great Hall with books in hand while a handful of students pass by him. A firm pat landed on his shoulder and he glanced over his right to see his insufferable (best) mate Hoya smirking at him.

“See you later, princess. And try not to attract too many Gryffindor knights. I heard Wang’s hounding you already at this early time.”

“Sod off, will you, Howon?”

“Try not to miss me too much then.” Hoya chuckled annoyingly, heading off to who knows where to spend an hour or so of free period. Sunggyu seriously contemplated trailing after Hoya like a lost house elf because maybe, just maybe, using Hoya as a cover against another prank aimed for him is a good idea. Yet the bothersome (Hufflepuff) voice inside him told him that one prank for his dearest mate Hoya is enough. 

For now, that is.

And besides, following Howon meant the prank won’t push through. It would be unfortunate if nobody (other than Sunggyu, of course) would be victimized. Revenge won’t be as sweet for Sunggyu. So, with renewed vigor, Sunggyu walked towards his original destination – the library.

A few blocks down his destination and Sunggyu seemed to think that nothing really changed since his last time skip. Nobody – not even Hoya for that matter – has even mentioned anything about that last encounter he had with Woohyun during the yule ball, which is good. That means that future wasn’t altered because of that mistake from the ball. The very thought of what happened still sent spikes of shiver (Sunggyu would like to think it’s because of disgust) through his spine as he recalled it clearly in his mind.

It was romantically clichéd for Sunggyu, with the steady downpour of snow with a sweet tune bouncing through the walls of the Great Hall, but in all honesty, he wouldn’t have his first kiss with Woohyun any other way.

Bloody hell. He kissed Nam Woohyun. The great Slytherin Princess (fine, Hoya, you win on this one) Kim Sunggyu kissed the bane of his existence Nam Woohyun and enjoyed it. And of course, Sunggyu will never admit it, not even to himself, that he enjoyed every bit of second of his first kiss.

At least, Hoya hasn’t brought the topic yet. And he’d like to want to keep it that way. It’s going to be a banter that Sunggyu knows he’s going to lose against his friend.

“Sunggyu. Hey, wait up!”

Merlin’s shriveled blue balls.

The Slytherin student was too warped inside his mind that he failed to avoid Jackson Wang by the library, and now it was too late to do so. So, just as he had clearly remembered it, he quickly backtracked his steps and found himself maneuvering through the sudden throng of people crowding the corridor. And as if on instinct, he once again managed to arrive at the entrance of the courtyard where he could already hear the Gryffindors’ (read: Nam Woohyun and his gang of pranksters) loud jeers that spelled doom.

Sunggyu’s fingers automatically latched onto the ring, rubbing on the shiny exterior of the antique item as he contemplated his options. Should he just face Jackson Wang and spend an eternity (an hour long with the student feels like an eternity long) trying to avoid his persistent and lame way of flirting and clinginess? Or would he dare to the cross the courtyard and re-enact the disastrous prank once more?

Bloody hell, he should have just followed Hoya to who knows where.

“Sunggyu! Hey!”

Jackson’s voice seemed louder now, and Sunggyu didn’t dare to take a look back. He guessed it’s just a matter of seconds before Jackson catches up to him.

“Curse you, Nam Woohyun. I hope you die a horrible death.” Sunggyu muttered under his breath before forcing himself to cross the sunny courtyard. Either way, he’s doomed anyway and he thinks it’s better to suffer being called Penguin Gyu rather than spend time with a fanboy like Jackson. So, just like how it was, he could hear Jackson’s voice calling out his name as well as the swishing sound and any moment now something would graze his hair and –

“My hair!”

Sunggyu opened his eyes – he didn’t even know when he closed them – and instinctively reached for his head where, lo and behold, his long fringe sat safely. He turned back where he saw Jackson hysterically picking the strands of his blond hair on the ground as Nam Woohyun’s gang of pranksters doubled over the grass. Woohyun however was smirking as he caught a Frisbee – the same Fanged Frisbee that should have grazed Sunggyu’s hair for the second time.

“Sorry, Wang! Going somewhere, I reckon?”

But…how…?

“Oh, his hair’s all over the ground now. Here, let me help you stick them back on your head.” Sungyeol jeered as she conjured her wand and flicked it over Jackson. The strands of his blond hair levitated and attached on both sides of his head, as if imitating dog ears. “There, looks perfect, don’t you think so, Wang puppy?”

Sunggyu couldn’t comprehend as he watched the commotion unfold. Students started gathering around and snickering and calling a dumbfounded Jackson Wang Puppy. But Sunggyu was distracted. Why hadn’t the prank pushed through? He was sure he was walking on the same direction at the same pace at the same time, but instead the Fanged Frisbee swished upon Jackson Wang – the very same person that was hot on his trails.

And as if to answer his question, his eyes met Woohyun’s twinkling ones, curved into small crescents as he wore his trademark boyish (handsome) smirk. No matter how much Sunggyu wanted to deny it, he could feel his heart hammering at the mere eye contact, and even more so when the Gryffindor sent a greasy, playful wink at him.

A hot feeling on Sunggyu’s cheeks started spreading down his neck before he was startled by an all too familiar drawl.

“Please do tell me that slimy git Nam Bloody Woohyun didn’t just sent a wink at you.”

All thoughts flee from his mind (not that he has one coherent thought, anyway) as Howon nudged him in a not-so-friendly way. Sunggyu’s hand suddenly had an itch to reach for his wand. Instead he just schooled his face into something akin to a frown despite the remnants of his blush present.

“Sod off, Howon.”

“Come to think of it, I never got to know whatever happened to you and Nam last Yule ball. Is there something you wish to tell me, my dear mate?”

Sunggyu’s thankful he didn’t stutter as he sent a curse at Howon of his limbs quivering in nervousness. It was quite rewarding to watch Hoya vomiting slugs for the rest of the day. But still, there was a nagging feeling inside Sunggyu.

Oh, wherever layer of the bloodiest hell Merlin is. Kim Sunggyu’s so screwed big time.

“Didn’t know you’re into quidditch, Sunggyu.”

“Don’t push it, Choi.” Sunggyu drawled, pushing his Slytherin colored scarf up his cheeks. The Slytherin had half a mind to reprimand himself to even consider watching the match today, when the weather was just too cold to even be outside the castle. And besides, he hadn’t even watched a single match after that gruesome incident back from his first year.

Sometimes, the image of Shim Changmin’s face smashed in by a bludger is traumatizing at its best, yet still disturbingly hilarious.

“Okay, okay. No need to be a bitter prat. We’re still on later, right?”

Sunggyu rolled his eyes as he puffed his cheeks. Despite the teasing chuckle that Minho let out, he found himself smiling behind the thick scarf across his face. His eyes stared at a hopeful Choi Minho in front of him, all out charisma flowing out through his messy hair and greasy grin. Sunggyu couldn’t reckon why in Salazar Slytherin’s holier than thou’s name does Choi Minho – Gryffindor quidditch captain and Hogwarts’ Champion on the recent Triwizard Tournament – would he need help from Sunggyu, a Slytherin.

“You know, I really can’t comprehend why you need help in these kinds of matters, Minho. Do I look like someone who has extensive and thorough knowledge regarding this…predicament of yours?”

There it was again, that chuckle that irritated the daylights out of Sunggyu. Yet, there was his smile again, betraying all his coherent thoughts. Must be because of Minho’s ‘flaming charisma’ thingy. Though Sunggyu would very much like it if it was Minho who’s flaming. Literally flaming.

“Fine. After dinner, then. Same spot at the library?” Sunggyu found himself chuckling as Minho did a funny cheer. “You’re embarrassing.”

“Am I? And here you are, still considering me as your mate after all these years.”

“It’s our family’s ties, that’s why. I wouldn’t bother myself with a Gryffindor git like you.” Minho grinned before he patted Sunggyu’s cheeks and it made Sunggyu scowl and slap the Gryffindor’s hands off him. And once again, he couldn’t resist smiling.

“You better go. I hope Hoya beats your on this game.”

“Best mate I could ever asked for. Always giving me the tough love.” The drawl came out naturally from Minho, just as expected from a pureblood, but the vision of him doing it sent Sunggyu cracking up once more, with Minho following soon. “Should I expect you on the Gryffindor bleachers, too?”

“This is why I hate slimy Gryffindor gits like you.”

“Well, might as well try it. After all, I persuaded you to watch a game after six years. Wouldn’t hurt to see a green among the sea of scarlet when we win later.”

“Who even told you that you’d win? Have you forgotten how sore of a loser our dear mate Howon is? He’s been driving the team nuts with his over-competitiveness.” Sunggyu chuckled and shook his head in mock exasperation. He is still a Slytherin, is he not? Of course, his loyalty is in house – no matter how much of much of a Dorcus Hoya is. “Don’t count your owls before they are delivered, Choi.”

“Makes it even better if I win yet again, yes?”

“Get off that mighty high hippogriff of yours, why don’t you?”

“Only if you get off yours first, your highness.”

Their laughter echoed through the hallways, just as Minho looped his arm with Sunggyu’s and led him out to the field. But all the while, someone was watching them, obscured by the dark hallways and mischievous eyes clouded with jealousy.

The loud roars from the Slytherin bleachers seemed to have destroyed Sunggyu’s eardrums perfectly. And it didn’t help that Hoya – the bloody bastard who just scored yet another goal – passed by the bleachers with a smug look, only igniting another round of that annoying chant (especially from the female populace) – and adding another gust of chilly winter air to freeze the bloody hell out of Sunggyu.

Hoya is our king, the chant said. And Sunggyu was sure his best mate’s already inflated ego would be overblown to last for the next few centuries, and he wouldn’t have his freaking arse off that proverbial mighty high hippogriff of his.

A few girls around him visibly swooned as said smug git gathered the rest of the members of the team swooshed by Sunggyu’s spot in what seemed like a V formation. The captain wore an expression that’s supposed to portray determination, but to Sunggyu, it only looks like his mate’s constipated. He barely held the chuckle when he heard the game’s announcer Dongwoo from Hufflepuff throwing a snarky comment despite Headmistress McGonagall’s warning.

“And another ten points for Slytherin! Slytherin leads Gryffindor by ten and oh, for Merlin’s sake, get it over with, Lee Howon! It’s just ten bloody points!”

Exactly Sunggyu’s thoughts.

Sunggyu thinks this decision of watching the game was so bad. It was taking too long and knowing Choi Minho – and the rest of the Gryffindor team –, he doesn’t know when to give up, especially if the opponent is Slytherin. The neck-on-neck score just proves it and its been already hours since the game started. And knowing Hoya, he would never ever let the day come that the team will lose against Gryffindor – oh no, not on his watch, he says.

If he didn’t know any better, Sunggyu would like to say that this rivalry between Hoya and Minho runs deeper than quidditch and houses and Hogwarts. After all, Sunggyu was forced to watch the two of them throw snarky remarks at each other every summer since he was eleven.

Hoya doesn’t like losing, and even more so if it’s against Minho.

And speaking of Choi Minho, the bloody bloke seemed to be taking his time looking for the equally bloody snitch. Even Sunggyu was sure that he saw the snitch a few times already since the game started hours ago – and mind you, his eyesight isn’t as spectacular compared to that of a seeker. What was the Gryffindor playing at? Is he rubbing it on Hoya’s face that Slytherin’s new seeker is just as gifted as a troll drunk off on firewhiskey?

Probably.

Yeah, the kid’s got skills, but he wasn’t quite fit to match Choi Minho’s years of experience just yet.

The game resumed and with a bored gaze, Sunggyu turned towards the newbie chasers of Slytherin chasing after Sungyeol who had the quaffle on her hands while steadily dodging anything and everything blocking her way. She glided past the Slytherin bleachers, the Slytherin chasers still hot on her tail just as Nam Woohyun – one of the many new members of the Gryffindor quidditch team – sturdily hit a rogue bludger towards the chasers hurtling after Sungyeol.

Predictably, the chasers foresaw the ball dashing towards their direction and dispersed just in time, leaving the area open and the bludger rushing towards the center of the bleacher – right where Sunggyu was perfectly perched in. 

The impact was hard, and Sunggyu fell back, his senses mulled by the feeling akin to a giant doing a tap dance on his head just as numerous gasps echoed thrice as loud as it should be.

“And that was an impressive hit on the bludger, Woohyun! Too bad you missed the chasers. And whoops that must have hurt, Sunggyu.” 

The last thing that Sunggyu heard before he passed out was a halfhearted ‘Sorry’ that sounded vaguely like Woohyun – oh, he could perfectly tell. The voice was laced with mischief, and Sunggyu swore he would get back at the bloody git as soon as he wakes up.

Only, he wakes up after seven days and that Gryffindor wanker was nowhere to be found since it was already a few days into the winter break.

“Okay, okay. No need to be a bitter prat. We’re still on later, right?”

Sunggyu blinked, still disoriented from the after effects of the time skip. One moment he was laughing at Hoya who was vomiting his nth slug and the next, there was that awful tug in the pits of his stomach. The only consolation was the fact that he’s on the last stages of this time skip continuum, considering that the prank happened during seventh year.

But he has a long way to go, if the visions were to go by. He saw two full visions, for Merlin’s sake! He’ll have to stay for at least half the day on this scenario, and he’s so not looking forward to it.

And considering that somehow the scenarios are getting messed up – all because of that wrong decision during the fifth-year time skip – Sunggyu didn’t know if he wants to continue this predicament he’s in.

“Hey…? You okay, Sunggyu?”

“Y-yeah. Sorry, spaced out on your ridiculous offer. Mind to tell me again?”

Thankfully, Minho took the bait and ignored the sudden oddity of Sunggyu’s demeanor. He let out a huff and tried to act nonchalantly, though the small smirk was a dead giveaway.

“You’re playing at me, aren’t you?”

“Am I?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

In reality, Sunggyu doesn’t even know what in the bloodiest hell was he and Minho talking about. He couldn’t even remember why they were talking in the first place. It must have been something trivial – or troublesome – for Sunggyu to easily forget this scene. But judging on the patterns from his previous time skips, his conversation with Minho is somehow involved in dodging yet another prank from Woohyun.

“Hey, Choi! We haven’t got all day, you know. Are you done fraternizing with the enemy? For the love of Godric Gryffindor, why are all Gryffindor quidditch captains attracted to slimy Slytherin snakes?”

Sunggyu watched as Minho rolled his eyes and backed off Sunggyu to turn towards his clearly annoyed team mate, Lee Sungyeol. The metamorphmagus had her hair colored bright red and her eyes were the lightest shade of amber while sending a glare towards Sunggyu. The Gryffindor was a sore for eyes.

“Coming! So, same spot by the library, yeah? And you’re very much welcomed to stay in the Gryffindor’s bleachers. Wouldn’t hurt to see a green among the sea of scarlet when we win later.”

“Who even told you that you’d win? Have you forgotten how sore of a loser our dear mate Howon is? He’s been driving the team nuts with his over-competitiveness.” Sunggyu chuckled as Minho shrugged and took a step back. A rush of déjà vu ran through Sunggyu as he continued. “Don’t count your owls before they are delivered, Choi.”

“Makes it even better if I win yet again, yes?”

“Get off that mighty high hippogriff of yours, why don’t you?”

“Only if you get off yours first, your highness.” Minho chuckled as he walked backwards and threw a shrug at Sunggyu before sprinting towards Sungyeol who’s muttering something about gross flirting. In no less than seconds, the Gryffindors left the dug-out, leaving Sunggyu all alone in his thoughts.

Or so he thought.

“Same spot by the library, huh?”

Sunggyu almost jumped at the sound of Woohyun’s voice echoing through the silent hallway as he walked out of the shadows. He had an unusual passive look on his face as he walked towards Sunggyu, the act alone made Sunggyu’s heart race against his chest. And no, it has nothing to do with how the scarlet quidditch robes looked good on Woohyun’s lean frame, or how Woohyun’s windswept hair framed his sharp features nicely. Nope.

Get your act together, Sunggyu.

“Um…nice weather, isn’t it, Nam?” With every step that Woohyun took, Sunggyu found himself taking a step back and soon after, his back met the wall. Woohyun raised an amused eyebrow at him before he trapped Sunggyu, one hand slamming mere inches away from Sunggyu’s head. Oh, dear mother of Merlin, why does it always get clichéd when Nam Woohyun is involved?

Despite the obvious height difference, Sunggyu felt like Woohyun towered him at that moment.

“Don’t push it Gyu. You never mentioned you have a…prior commitment with my captain tonight.” Woohyun leaned closer, breath puffing into miniscule mists that sent a shiver through Sunggyu’s spine. Sunggyu felt himself rubbing the ring on his finger, but the act never calmed him down the slightest.

“Because I never have?”

“Yeah? That wasn’t what I heard. My captain even said he’s the reason why you’re watching today’s game.” Sunggyu felt himself shut his eyes tightly as Woohyun dangerously leaned towards him. He felt rather than heard Woohyun’s low chuckle reverberating through him as the latter nuzzled his jaw rather affectionately, effectively sending a shiver up Sunggyu’s spine. “Do tell me that he’s wrong…you went to watch me, right?”

What in the name of Merlin did Nam Woohyun did to Sunggyu? He could feel his knees buckling under him and his eyes almost rolling at the back of his head as Woohyun added a few kisses on his jaw up to that tender spot just under his ear.  A breathy sigh went out of Sunggyu and he inwardly cursed himself.

“Thought so.”

The warmth enveloping Sunggyu was gone as Woohyun backed off just a tiny bit and stared at him with those mischievous eyes of his. Sunggyu could definitely feel his heart racing against his chest and no matter how much he wanted to brandish his wand and send an unforgivable or two at this despicable (and dashing) creature in front of him, his limbs told him otherwise. The only thing he could do was submit to Woohyun’s whims and throw a half-hearted insult.

“Wanker.”

“But I am your wanker.”

No. Sunggyu didn’t just blush at that.

“I-I wouldn’t even come near you with a ten-foot broomstick.”

“Mhmm. And yet here we are.” Woohyun chortled as he leaned closer to Sunggyu once more. “Good luck snog from my lucky charm, yeah?”

“Pardon?” The blush intensified as Woohyun chuckled at him, eyes twinkling with mischief that spelled no good for Sunggyu. And before Sunggyu could react, Woohyun cupped Sunggyu’s already warm cheeks and leaned forward, capturing the latter’s trembling lips with his in an ardent kiss that rendered Sunggyu weak in the knees. The kiss ended all too soon, just as Sunggyu lost the battle against himself and started to enjoy it. When their lips parted, Sunggyu found himself in a somewhat sort of a daze.

Was that how it felt to have been snogged the daylights out of?

“That felt good. So, shall I really expect you on the Gryffindor bleachers? After all, Minho’s right. It wouldn’t hurt to see a green on the sea of scarlet when we win later.”

“Why you insolent–”

Sunggyu finally had the will to move his limbs, pushing Woohyun off him as the git’s laughter echoed loudly through the walls. In no less than a second, his wand finally made an appearance but Woohyun’s already sprinting out towards the pitch with an amused grin.

Once Sunggyu was certain that he’s alone, his fingers moved towards his still tingling lips. Well, there’s no use crying over spilt potion, so Sunggyu might as well sit back and enjoy this altered situation – especially if gets to evade Woohyun’s pranks and replace them with his kisses.

“I don’t understand why people like this game, to be honest. It’s all nonsense.”

“Don’t be such a prude, Sunggyu. Live a little and cheer for your dear mate, why don’t you?” Sungjong muttered beside him, her bubblegum pink hair swaying along the autumn breeze. Of course, she would cheer for her so-called boyfriend, Hoya. What do you know, Sunggyu’s advice from the altered Yule Ball situation helped his mate get the girl. Yay. Not.

And speaking of Hoya, the conceited bloke managed to score a goal against Gryffindor’s newbie keeper. Hoya flew by arrogantly back to the Slytherin’s goal post and managed to pass by the bleachers where Sunggyu and Sungjong were, throwing a wink at Sungjong that almost made Sunggyu lurch his breakfast. There were also those bimbos that fell for Hoya’s greasy wink and swooned loudly around him.

In the name of Merlin.

“And another ten points for Slytherin! Slytherin leads Gryffindor by ten and oh, for Merlin’s sake, get it over with, Lee Howon! It’s just ten bloody points!”

Exactly Sunggyu’s thoughts.

Some things never really change, and Sunggyu even loved Jang Dongwoo more with his snarky comment against Hoya and his inflated ego.

“I hate it when he does that, winking. He does look like a constipated troll experiencing a seizure, don’t you reckon?”

“Whatever happened to cheering for Hoya?” Sunggyu glanced over the girl beside her with an amused stare. Lee Sungjong, as expected, has the same sharp tongue that most pureblood offspring inherited from their parents. He thinks he can put up with this nonsensical game just a bit more if Sungjong throws in shade after shade at whatever greasy stupidity her boyfriend does.

“Well, sometimes somebody has to put him in place. Quite unbearable, really. And we’ve only been dating for two years. Can’t imagine what it’s like for you, growing up with him and all.”

“Oh, you have no idea.”

The game resumed and just like how Sunggyu remembers it, Sungyeol was whipping past obstacle after obstacle, red hair flowing with the wind as the newbie Slytherin chasers raced after her. Oh no. No, no, no. This is the part where he gets hit by the bludger and even if Woohyun looked like his boyfrie–

And then Minho was flying towards the Slytherin bleachers with a smug look, diving into a feint and luring the naïve Slytherin seeker into thinking he saw the snitch.

“Oh, it looks like the seekers finally found the bloody snitch! And Sungyeol’s having a hard time shaking off the chasers on her tail!”

The sound of a bat hitting something all too hard caught Sunggyu’s attention. He turned towards his left to see Woohyun hitting a bludger towards their direction – or rather where the Slytherin chasers were. And of course, just like how it was, the chasers dispersed just in time as the bludger neared and oh for Merlin’s sake–

“Ooh, impressive throw on that bludger, Woohyun. But, oh dear, look out!” Sunggyu could only close his eyes and wait for the impact but it never came. Loud gasps soon erupted and Sunggyu looked up to see the bludger hitting the tail of Minho’s broomstick squarely and disrupting his stable speed. Soon he was spiraling down the field, despite his best efforts to pull himself up. But the bludger’s rampage continued on and targeted the next possible victim – the stunned Lee Sungyeol with quaffle still in her hands. And no matter how fast and nimble she was with her broom, everyone else knew it was too late for her.

Soon after, a collective groan resounded as the bludger hit Sungyeol squarely on the head. Sunggyu couldn’t help but feel relieved as the bludger swooshed away from the area.

“Would have been a great shot if the bludger didn’t hit two of your team mates, Woohyun! Looks like someone will be on locker duties for the rest of the term!”

“You know, Nam Woohyun is one hell of a dark owl in this game. You really don’t know whose side he’s playing for.” Sungjong drawled as she craned her neck just slightly to see Sungyeol landing down the field in a not so gentle way. Sunggyu thinks she deserves it. Then Woohyun passed by the bleachers and subtly sent a wink at Sunggyu.

What is it with slimy blokes and their greasy winks?

“Exactly my thoughts, Sungjong.”

“This is all your fault, Sunggyu.”

“That sounds so familiar, wonder where I’ve heard it from before.” Sunggyu managed to half-drawl and half-pant as he and Hoya sprinted (or rather Hoya sprinted while Sunggyu stumbled after him) along the already empty hallways. Of all the times that Sunggyu would wake up late, why does it have to be the day he has a NEWT examination?

Well, it is Charms and Professor Bell would let him off the hook for sure, but still.

Just when Sunggyu thought his lungs would finally give out on him, the classroom finally came into view. And Hoya being himself, he decided to be the attention seeker that he was and managed to slam the door open, attracting everyone else inside the room.

Great.

Sunggyu straightened up when Professor Bell looked up from her desk, cheerful demeanor gone and replaced by a blank expression. She cocked an eyebrow and Sunggyu tried to search for something – anything – to redeem himself. Fine, and Hoya as well.

“Erm, we got lost, professor. Sorry.”

Sunggyu almost facepalmed when he heard Hoya blurt out the words. Now, they’re done for. Of all the excuses Hoya’s already shaken head, why did he have to choose the lamest one of all?

“Well, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t need a map to find your seats.”

Sunggyu hissed as he felt Hoya nudging him while he made his way to the farthest vacant seat available.  The Slytherin puffed and took the nearest one – which happened to be just a few steps away – only to realize why his mate avoided the seat. The desk was in between Nam Woohyun and Kim Kibum – Key.

Bollocks, how stupid can Sunggyu get?

But they wouldn’t do anything, would they? Unless they do a Weasley and set forth fireworks while they fly to oblivion (a very unlikely circumstance).

No use crying over spilt potion.

Sunggyu took a deep breath before he settled on the desk, placing his sling bag on his lap to get his quill – bloody hell, he couldn’t have forgotten his quill, could he? He frantically searched for his bag, earning a blank stare from Professor Bell and some students. Today must be his unlucky day.

That is until he glanced over the floor and found a quill – well, his quill, for sure. It wasn’t there when he arrived, was it? Finders keepers.

Sunggyu quickly snatched the quill, kicked his bag under his desk and prayed to Salazar Slytherin that his NEWT would go as smoothly as possible. Too bad, Salazar Slytherin seemed hell bent on not listening to any of his prayers. In the space where he should have elegantly scribbled his name, the words ‘Why don’t you try answering your own question, ?’ were written instead.

A shiver went up his spine, low growl already resting at his throat as he turned towards Woohyun who seemed to be concentrating on answering the exam. It certainly had to be Nam Woohyun and Key is most probably involved in this too. Sunggyu found himself turning towards his right, where lo and behold Key was looking at him with a smirk.

Sunggyu sent Key one last glare before looking back at his exam, unable to do something to revert the words that the smart-answer quill had scribbled on his parchment. Beside him, he heard Key standing and making his way towards the front where Professor Bell was – probably to ask some lame question or to gloat that he finished first. But Sunggyu ignored the git, and decided that the best thing to do was to just skip the NEWT and accept the harsh reality that he would fail the subject.

Later, Sunggyu wanted the ground to swallow him up when Professor Bell collected his exam with a blank expression and an even blanker voice. ‘Who’s the again, Mr. Kim?’

“Well, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t need a map to find your seats.”

Professor Bell’s blank expression was perfectly the same as Sunggyu remembered it. The Slytherin’s hand itched badly to pull Hoya’s hair in irritation because why did he have to blurt out that lame excuse? What kind of seventh years get lost in the castle that housed them for seven years?

The stupid kind like Lee Howon.

At least, this prank is a short lived one, judging from the vision Sunggyu had seen. The only thing left to do is to grab the farthest chair first and–

“Thought you might wanna sit beside your darling dearest.” Hoya muttered as Sunggyu watched how his mate made his way towards the farthest seat and it was too late for Sunggyu to realize it. Hoya was already a few steps away from him and pulling him back would totally cause a scene, and he wouldn’t dare to do so, not when Professor Bell’s eyes were eyeing them suspiciously.

Women, such strange creatures, Sunggyu thought.

With a heavy sigh, Sunggyu forced his limbs to move towards the dreaded seat. He didn’t even have to rummage through his sling bag to know that he’s got no quill. As soon as he settled on the old, wooden chair, his eyes landed on the lone quill by the foot of his table. At the corner of his eye, Sunggyu could barely make out Woohyun stiffening, despite his crouched posture on his desk.

When his fingers grasped the soft feathers of the quill, Sunggyu reckoned he saw Woohyun subtly shaking his head and his suspicions were confirmed. It was the same quill that almost ruined his chances at Charms (thank Merlin Professor Bell gave him another shot at taking the NEWT, albeit it was thrice as hard as the original questions).

Beside him, he could hear Key – that bloody bloke – snickering softly. Probably reckons Sunggyu will fall for the same trick once more. Oh, if only the Hufflepuff knew. It’s payback time for Sunggyu, especially since Key managed to evade that nose-biting teacup from the fourth-year time skip.

Sunggyu feigned to write on the parchment, even feigning a shocked expression for his audience (read: Key and Woohyun) and resisting the urge to smirk when he heard Key shuffle towards the front. The Slytherin quickly turned towards Woohyun with a glare, to which he received a frantic apology. The Gryffindor even offered his very own quill without making it obvious to the Professor in front and Sunggyu was tempted to take it.

But then again, where’s the fun if no one gets victimized by Woohyun’s prank?

Sunggyu turned towards the front, where Key seemed to have a serious discussion with Professor Bell about some question on the exam and that’s when the Slytherin student noticed the quill resting on the edge of the desk beside his.

The founders seemed to be on his side today, Sunggyu reckons, and without a hint of hesitation he snatched the innocent quill and replaced it with the tampered one. He even made sure that he positioned the quill in exactly the way Key left it. On his other side, Sunggyu thought he heard Woohyun groaning in defeat and it only made Sunggyu feel better.

After checking if the quill isn’t jinxed, Sunggyu then proceeded to answer his exam while waiting for Key to come back. It felt like forever until the sassy lad went back to his seat and by that time, Sunggyu was all ears waiting for Key’s reaction.

The scandalized gasp from Key was worth every prank Sunggyu had endured.

He turned towards Key who was fuming and glaring at him. The look on his face was embedded forever in Sunggyu’s mind as he sent a smug smirk at him and muttered something under his breath.

“You can’t bring me down, dear.”

Sunggyu could barely hear Professor Bell’s inquiry on the commotion because of the feeling of satisfaction running through his veins. Soon enough, Professor Bell walked towards Key and snatched the student’s parchment with a blank stare.

“Who’s the again, Mr. Kim?”

The words never sounded so good for Sunggyu, since Professor Bell isn’t addressing the words to him, but he barely enjoyed the moment. There was a tug on the pits of his stomach and before he knew it, Sunggyu was being pulled back into the black abyss. Finally, one last prank to go.

The lights were dimmed, the music too loud and the room was too crowded. Sunggyu couldn’t even hear his own thoughts as he squirmed his way out of the dancing crowd to settle on one corner. It was the last night of the school year, tomorrow would be the graduation ceremonies and somehow a genius seventh year decided to hold a party on the Room of Requirement where everyone is invited. Yes, even the Slytherins were invited.

How the Headmistress and the professors didn’t know (or allowed it) was beyond Sunggyu. He had a hunch that it was Ravenclaw’s Kim Myungsoo who organized this party, because who can even resist the sixth year charmer to be honest?

Over one corner of the spacious room, drinks were overflowing and that’s where he found his mate half-sprawled on the bar with a glass of firewhiskey on his wobbly hand. Sunggyu sighed and trudged over Hoya while evading writhing and sweaty bodies. As soon as he reached the bar, he immediately regretted it for Woohyun suddenly appeared out of nowhere and dragging him and a half intoxicated Hoya towards a booth.

It happened too fast that soon enough he and Hoya was flanked in between the sweaty bodies of Kim Myungsoo himself and Sungjong. The booth was immediately occupied by other students in different states of drunkenness and Woohyun stood in front of them along with Sungyeol who was wearing her hair in bright neons of red, green, blue and yellow.

“So, since we have gathered enough students, I think we can start now.”

“W-wait. What are we starting?” Sunggyu’s voice was drowned out by Hoya’s drunken cheer and Sunggyu felt Myungsoo nudging his side gently. He then turned upon hearing Myungsoo’s chuckle and he thought to himself that the sixth year isn’t that bad. In fact, he was even more handsome upon closer inspection.

“We’re playing a muggle drinking game, Woohyun said.” Myungsoo chuckled, a deep dimple making an appearance and Sunggyu reckoned he really is quite the charmer. 

“Oh…okay.”

Soon enough, everyone had shot glasses in front of them and Sungyeol was explaining the rules of the game amidst the loud music blaring from all the sides of the room. Sunggyu couldn’t quite comprehend the rules but he did understand that he had to take a shot (of the muggle drink with a name somewhere along dovka or something) if he hadn’t met the conditions stated by someone in charge.

After a round of questions from the other sensible participants, the game started and Sunggyu could barely comprehend the conditions that Sungyeol had muttered.

“Someone who’s a Gryffindor.” 

Half of the table took the shot and Sunggyu hesitated whether he should drink or not. He looked up and saw almost everyone – especially Myungsoo – staring at him. 

“Don’t tell me the great Slytherin princess is afraid of an innocent clear liquid.” Woohyun sneered and Sunggyu sent a glare at the muggleborn before drinking the liquid in one go. The concoction left a fiery trail down his throat like that of a firewhiskey and it took a few moments before the warm feeling emanated through his body.

Another shot was conjured and it was Woohyun’s turn to give the condition.

“Someone who’s not attracted to anyone in this booth.”

That’s a stupid condi–

Amongst all the participants, only four raised their glasses and downed the transparent fluid from the small shot glass. The first one was Hoya, who almost spilled the liquid on the table; then Sungyeol who was glaring at Woohyun; Woohyun stared at Sunggyu with an unreadable expression under the blaring lights. And there was Sunggyu.

Wait.

He wasn’t really that attracted to somebody else, so why was he drinking?

“Ohhh, looks like someone finally caught Sunggyu’s eye, eh? So who’s the unfortunate bloke?” Sungyeol chuckled and there were already colorful strings of curses and insults resting at the tip of Sunggyu’s tongue. What he did not expected were the words that he blurted out instead.

“Kim Myungsoo. Why wouldn’t you be attracted to someone like him?”

Bloody hell.

The pureblood felt hot all over, and he was sure it wasn’t because of the bloody concoction he was drinking. There was a smug chuckle from beside him and Sunggyu perfectly knew that Myungsoo heard him clearly.

“Yeah? Well, you’re not bad yourself, Sunggyu.” Myungsoo’s voice was thick, velvety and held a lot of promises that peaked Sunggyu’s interest. He would’ve glanced over at Myungsoo and said something that’s heavily influenced by the muggle drink (and probably something else to give him this kind of courage to tell the truth), if not for Woohyun’s eyes that were void of any emotions. That stare definitely sent a shiver up Sunggyu’s spine.

“So, we’re supposed to drink this if we don’t meet the condition?” Sungjong’s airy voice was barely audible when Sunggyu came to his senses. His mind pounded against his skull from the after effects of the time skip combined with the blaring music and neon lights. He felt himself squished between a sweaty and obviously drunk Hoya and a firm, sturdy body against his side –

“You okay?” The voice was low, different from how he remembered Myungsoo’s voice was. With an ounce of courage, Sunggyu glanced over his other side to see Woohyun leaning against him comfortably, a look of worry in place. Sunggyu’s supposedly seatmate, Kim Myungsoo, was sitting by the end of the booth. The Ravenclaw’s foxy eyes were staring at him with anticipation and it sent a sight shiver up Sunggyu’s spine. “What does that Kim Myungsoo want from you?”

A smirk slowly formed on Sunggyu’s lips before he glanced over Woohyun.

“Someone’s jealous.”

“I am not.” Woohyun huffed before sending a wink at Sunggyu. A rush of warmth coursed through Sunggyu and he grumbled something under his breath as he averted his eyes away from Woohyun. Curse Nam Woohyun and his greasy winks.

His eyes landed then on the glasses resting on the table. He was sure his drink was laced with veritaserum back then, thus the drunken confession happening. So if he wants to escape the prank, Sunggyu must exchange his glass to somebody else’s without getting discovered. By his right, Hoya was muttering something drunkenly as he leaned his head against Sungjong’s shoulder.

The bloke definitely did not need the serum.

On his left, however…

Woohyun seemed to be distracted as the guy beside him – Dongwoo – suddenly asked something unintelligible to him. What if Woohyun gets a taste of his own potion? Sunggyu’s mind was telling him a million and one scenarios that would happen if Woohyun drinks the tampered drink, and all of them sounded so good to him.

So with deft hands, he slyly moved his shot glass towards Woohyun’s and exchanged them. A sly smirk graced his lips once more and when he looked up he saw Myungsoo staring at him with an amused expression.

Merlin, even from afar, the bloke was too handsome for his own good.

A hand on his thigh broke Sunggyu’s eye contact with the Ravenclaw following by a low growl that made Sunggyu his lips teasingly.

“You sure you’re not jealous?”

“Why would I be?” Woohyun muttered, hand slowly inching up Sunggyu’s inner thigh teasingly. The Slytherin shivered slightly before he deftly slapped the hand off his thigh. What he did next startled not just Woohyun but himself too.

Sunggyu’s dainty hand took Woohyun’s and intertwined their fingers underneath the table.

Galloping Gargoyles. It felt natural yet unfamiliar at the same time. Sunggyu wasn’t even intoxicated and here he was doing things he never thought of doing. Thank Merlin Sungyeol decided to start the game, and the altered question somehow shocked Sunggyu.

“Someone who’s not Gryffindor.”

The stunned expression on Woohyun’s face clearly indicated that this wasn’t what he was expecting.

“Don’t tell me the great Gryffinodor prankster is afraid of an innocent clear liquid.”

“Shut it, babe.” Sunggyu found himself beyond joy as he watched Woohyun take the glass and drink from it in one go. Cheers erupted from the booth as the ones who drank the beverage placed their glasses down on the table. Woohyun let out a huff as Sungyeol nodded at him for the next condition.

“Someone who’s not attracted to anyone in this booth.”

Just like how it was before, there were four people who took another round of shot. The first one was Hoya, who almost spilled the liquid on the table if not for Sungjong’s assistance; then Sungyeol who was glaring at Woohyun; and then Woohyun was lifting his shot glass to his mouth.

And the last person?

Sungjong who was sipping on the shot glass as if it was some classy red wine. Of course it was Sungjong. After all, she was dating Hoya for years now so it makes sense that she’ll be attracted to him in some sick way in Sunggyu’s opinion.

But that wasn’t what Sunggyu was absorbed in.

His eyes watched as Woohyun didn’t even realize that his drink had been spiked at all and he took gulp after gulp of the muggle concoction. Sunggyu was having the time of his life that he unconsciously found himself rubbing at his ring quite enthusiastically.

“So, Nam Woohyun is attracted to someone else. Wonder who it is.” Myungsoo suddenly drawled from his seat and suddenly, Sunggyu felt his blood turn cold. Beside him, Woohyun seemed to have stiffened as well. Bloody hell, even without a dose of veritaserum, Woohyun’s mouth is already loose. What more now that –

“Why don’t you try using your brain, pretty boy?”

“Well, I wanted to hear it straight from you.”

And then Sungyeol piped up, in all her neon colored hair glory, with a sneer on her face. Sunggyu’s fingers now frantically rubbed on the ring out of fear and stress and everything because for Merlin’s sake, Nam Woohyun, you’re the one who fell for the prank still I am the one suffering.                                                              

“Yeah, tell us who you’ve been attracted to among the occupants in this table.”

Sunggyu was sure he’s sweating hard now as he scanned over the occupants of the cramped booth. There was Sungyeol and Myungsoo by the end, both wearing feral smirks, Dongwoo who seemed oblivious yet interested at the same time, Hoya who was suddenly attentive of his surroundings, Sungjong seemed disinterested but the faint smirk on her face showed her true intentions. And then there was Sunggyu and Woohyun who were stunned and too obvious and– 

The lights suddenly whipped through the booth, and it illuminated the emerald ring on Sunggyu’s finger. It was too fast yet Sunggyu’s shifty eyes caught something peculiar on the surface of the heirloom.

There was an inscription.

“We’re waiting, Woohyun. Or are you being a now?” Myungsoo’s voice was taunting but Sunggyu paid him no mind. The Slytherin quickly disentangled his fingers from Woohyun’s and took the ring off. The neon lights flashed through his spot once more and Sunggyu could barely make out the elegant scripture on the ring.

Da Mihi

“Why do I feel like I know who this person is?” The slur on Hoya’s voice was suddenly gone and Sunggyu felt his eyes boring holes on him.  

Still, Sunggyu’s heart pounded, time seemed to slow down as he shakily turned the ring on his slender fingers. The lights were going wild and barely helping Sunggyu.

Da Mihi Virtutem

“Come on guys, it’s too obvious who this is. Does he really have to blurt it out? That isn’t even included in the rules.”

Bless Jang Dongwoo and his innocent soul, oh great Merlin and Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff.

“But where’s the fun at that?” Sungjong’s haughty voice sounded clear against the noise in the room and Sunggyu almost cursed the girl, if not for the fact that he could almost make out the remaining words on the ring.

Da Mihi Virtutem Corpus

Just a little more and he could go back to his own time line. A slight turn on the ring and finally the whole incantation revealed itself to Sunggyu.

Da Mihi Virtutem Corpus Portabit

Finally.

“Da Mihi Virtutem Corpus Portabit.” Sunggyu muttered under his breath and his eyes watched how his ring glowed softly under the dimmed surroundings. The familiar tug on the pits of his stomach was back and this time, it was a welcomed sensation. Everything around him slowly faded and there was the feeling of accomplishment rushing through Sunggyu. Now, if only Woohyun shut his big mouth, Sunggyu’s departure would have been perfect.

But alas, fate seemed to throw one more joke at him just as he was into the dark vortex. Woohyun’s voice had never sounded so clear and loud even through the diminishing scenario.

“Well, since it’s out of the bag anyways, I’ve been wanting to admit that I’ve been attracted to Kim Sunggyu since second year. And that we’ve been secretly seeing each other sometime after the Yule ball roughly two years ago.”

And then everything was black.

“So, ten points early in the morning, Sunggyu. Are you not a Slytherin to deduct such a handsome amount from your very own house?”

Sunggyu swore he had never felt so happy hearing Changmin’s awful drawl in his whole damned life. The sound of utensils clattering against plates and steady murmurs of thousands of students flooded Sunggyu’s ears. He quickly opened his eyes and saw the familiar Great Hall from the faculty’s table.

He’s back.

His eyes squinted on the shiny ring on his finger, and as expected, the scripture was gone and the surface of the ring was as smooth as it was the day he received it.

“Hey. Are you alright? You seemed quite…different. Something the matter?” Sunggyu turned towards Changmin – the twenty something Shim Changmin that he remembers before the time skipping fiasco – and it took all his will power to not hug the daylights off the snarky professor (because, ew). He quickly gathered his wits and déjà vu coursed through his veins as familiar words ran through his mind.

“Must be because of the students. You try dealing with mischievous seventh years and let’s see if they don’t drive you to your wit’s end.”

“Now, now, people. Let’s not start a duel here, shall we? Seventh years are indeed mischievous nowadays, more than what we were back then. I think I’ve caught on at least a dozen or so seventh years defiling my precious shelves for the past week.” Heechul was the same as Sunggyu could remember; youthful face masking off her real age (a number that Sunggyu would never ever disclose in fear of his safety), and posture a perfect image of a perfectly bred pureblood.

“Oh please, Heechul. It’s not like you and your Astronomy professor of a husband do not defile your precious shelves more than every once in a while too.”

Merlin, it’s nice to be back. Sunggyu swore he would never question the magical capabilities of any of his family’s heirloom from now on.

“Exactly. I’m the only one allowed to taint them every once in a while.”

Sunggyu perfectly remembered the scenario unfolding in front of him. Changmin blurted out something about the ten freaking points he deducted from Slytherin students that morning (but it felt like early that morning was so long ago) and how Changmin is in hysterics because how is he supposed to award triple of those to Slytherin. During which Sunggyu replied to grant them thirty for merely breathing and bullying his students because isn’t that what he did to that Hufflepuff girl earlier? Everything was perfect again.

That was until Heechul broke the spell.

“By the way, have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“There’s a new professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts subject.”

“Ah, yeah. Heard about the stupidity that Professor Smith pulled last weekend.” Changmin scoffed before taking a gulp on his goblet. Sunggyu, however, sweated profusely. Of course, all good things must come to an end. And just when he thought that his life would be peaceful again.

“What…what happened to Professor Smith?” He barely managed to blurt out the words and thankfully, Heechul paid his stutter no mind.

“Stupid guy decided that having a midnight fly with a hippogriff while half intoxicated was a good idea.”

There should have been a witty remark about Changmin being stupider than the now injured Professor Smith from Sunggyu, but the latter was too busy trying to calm himself for the next scene coming. And then, Headmistress came in with a painfully familiar guy in tow.

Bloody freaking hell.

“Isn’t that someone from your year, Sunggyu?”

“Ah, indeed. Gryffindor, isn’t he? Wooyoung or something, always with that Hufflepuff, yes?”

Sunggyu wanted to tear his hair from the stress that he’s feeling at that moment. And then a moment of clarity passed through Sunggyu’s mind. Hadn’t he escaped Woohyun’s pranks now? Surely there’s no effect–

It was romantically clichéd for Sunggyu, with the steady downpour of snow with a sweet tune bouncing through the walls of the Great Hall, but in all honesty, he wouldn’t have his first kiss with Woohyun any other way.

Merlin’s blue and sagging balls. He’d like to think that that certain effect did not happen in this timeline. Nope. Not at all.

And besides, everything was happening just as how it should be. Changmin and Heechul seemed to not have any recollections of Nam Woohyun. He went back to the same old conversation he had yesterday. Nothing different happened.

Yet.

His fingers once again rubbed against the smooth material of his cursed heirloom.

“Your attention please.” Headmistress McGonagall called with her stern voice and the hushes and whispers quickly died down, eventually everyone else’s attention was on her. Sunggyu leaned forward on his seat, cold sweat rolling down his temples as hthe glared at Woohyun’s back. “As you may have heard, Professor Smith suffered a rather…ill-fated accident last weekend.”

An excited buzz washed over the students that quickly died down when the headmistress continued.

“Rest assured that he’s now at St. Mungo’s and I personally granted him the rest of the term to recuperate. As such, with the Defense Against the Dark Arts post now vacant, it is very fortunate for us to find a substitute at this short notice.”

Sunggyu didn’t know what to expect. His mind was running a thousand and one scenarios in which he never was subjected under Nam Woohyun’s pranks, and all of them seemed reasonable enough.

And that Shim Bloody Changmin and Kim Heechul never mentioned once that Woohyun was his date on the Yule Ball years ago. Wasn’t that supposed to say something? Then again, if he was able to save his past self from all the pranks through the ring, why hasn’t it affected his present timeline?

It was just noon but Sunggyu’s head felt like it was exploding.

“Due to certain circumstances, I was not able to introduce your new professor earlier this breakfast. But I’m sure some of you have met the new professor, for those of you who haven’t, if you would please welcome Professor Nam warmly.”

“You look like you’re going to vomit a bucketful of slugs.” Changmin remarked as soon as the applause died down and everybody started digging through their lunch. “Something the matter?”

Sunggyu tried to shrug nonchalantly but the grimace was ever present on his face. He grabbed his goblet, drank the butterbeer on it and avoided to look at the other end of the table where Woohyun was receiving a warm welcome from the rest of the faculty members.

Act cool, Kim Sunggyu. You’ve changed the past, and you got off it.

“Something’s definitely up. Could it possibly be because of the new professor, no?” Heechul chuckled and just like how he remembered it, Sunggyu had half a mind to take his wand and curse the woman into the next millennium.

“Probably. Tell me, Sunggyu, were you and Professor Nam an item before?” Changmin cackled before taking a bite out of his steak. Sunggyu managed to throw a glare at Changmin before turning his head and catching the eye of Professor Nam.

This should be the part where Woohyun will have the nerve to raise his goblet at Sunggyu – with that annoying (adorable) eye smile of his that perfectly spelled trouble. He could still imagine that annoying (adorable) look that the Gryffindor shot him last time.

Only this time, instead of receiving an eye smile while Woohyun lifted his goblet, Sunggyu received a greasy wink that sent shivers up the Slytherin’s spine.

Woohyun chuckled his agreement before he winked at Sunggyu.

He stood frozen on the spot, students passing by him and others even bumping him but Sunggyu didn't bat a lash. All his attention was solely on Woohyun who winked before he turned.

No matter how much Sunggyu wanted to deny it, he could feel his heart hammering at the mere eye contact, and even more so when the Gryffindor sent a greasy, playful wink at him.

Then Woohyun passed by the bleachers and subtly sent a wink at Sunggyu.

“I am not.” Woohyun huffed before sending a wink at Sunggyu. A rush of warmth coursed through Sunggyu and he grumbled something under his breath as he averted his eyes away from Woohyun.

Bloody Hell. Sunggyu would like to think that the wink Woohyun just sent to him was figment of his overly creative imagination. But the teasing comment form Changmin proved him wrong otherwise.

“Ah, young love.”

Merlin, help him. What has he done?

To say that Sunggyu’s having a bad day yet again is definitely the understatement of the year. Scratch that, the whole century.

He had to go through his afternoon class once more with the bloody sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins who managed to make one of their classmates go bald. There were also the snarky comments from Shim Changmin (curse that bloke) during their break time, as well as Heechul’s knowing smirks when he visited by the library to borrow some books.

At least he hadn’t crossed paths with Woohyun just yet.

And just like before, Sunggyu decided to skip dinner and hole himself up in his office. The lights glinted at the emerald material of his ring and he decided to take it off for the moment, tossing it carefully on the table. Sunggyu also decided to owl his mother about the magic of the ring first thing in the morning.

The bed seemed to call him and he decided to gather his things and call it a night – after all, he only had snippets of naps during his very strenuous time skipping when the door to his office creaked open. A sigh escaped him, thinking it was just Heechul – or worse Changmin – checking up on him.

Oh boy, was he so wrong.

“You skipped dinner. Are you feeling alright?”

Sunggyu quickly turned and his body went numb.

“Never knew being a professor was this tiring. Now I do understand how you feel.” In front of him was Nam Bloody Woohyun, who was making taking off his outer robes and kicking off his shoes. He seemed so…natural about it. Like he’s done these things in front of Sunggyu a thousand times before. Oh no. No, no, no.

“What…what are you doing here?” Sunggyu squeaked as he pressed himself against the wall, as if that would help him escape Nam Woohyun who was looking at him like he grew another head.

“Am I not allowed to go to my chambers now?”

“But…but this is my chamber!”

Woohyun chuckled before he stood, taking steps towards Sunggyu. And Sunggyu, being the clumsy and awkward tall guy that he is, managed to only trap himself by the corner of the room. Woohyun then towered over him, and Sunggyu couldn’t help but feel like he’s been in this position before.

With every step that Woohyun took, Sunggyu found himself taking a step back and soon after, his back met the wall. Woohyun raised an amused eyebrow at him before he trapped Sunggyu, one hand slamming mere inches away from Sunggyu’s head. Oh, dear mother of Merlin, why does it always get clichéd when Nam Woohyun is involved?

Woohyun then raised his hand slowly and all Sunggyu could do was shut his eyes tightly, earning an amused chuckle from the other guy. A warm feeling rested on Sunggyu’s forehead and it forced him to open his eyes slowly, meeting Woohyun’s mischievous eyes.

“You feel warm. Let’s get you to bed, shall we?” His tone was amused, eyes never leaving Sunggyu’s, and Sunggyu could feel his knees buckling with every second that passes by. And just when Sunggyu thought Woohyun would back off, the Gryffindor unexpectedly (or was Sunggyu really expecting it?) leaned forward and captured his lips on a chaste kiss.

Merlin, Woohyun’s kisses still felt that good.

“Remember when we used to do this on dates after graduation?”

No, Sunggyu doesn’t remember. How could he when he didn’t even experience it first hand?

An unattractive gurgle went out of Sunggyu, earning him yet another chuckle from Woohyun. The latter then backed off and pushed Sunggyu towards the small washroom, saying something about Sunggyu and resting and too stressed.

Yeah, maybe Sunggyu needs a quick shower to clear his mind – especially after that kiss. Scratch that, maybe he needs a long bath.

Halfway through taking his soiled robes off, Sunggyu heard Woohyun calling out to him from outside. Somehow, he had a bad feeling about it.

“Gyu, I think you forgot your ring.” Oh, right. The ring. Sunggyu was about to reply something to Woohyun when the Gryffindor continued. “Didn’t know it has inscriptions on it.”

Sunggyu felt his blood draining and found himself sprinting out of the room, regardless of his state of undress. He saw Woohyun leaning against the edge of his table, ring on hand as his eyes inspected the it and already halfway through the incantation.

“–Mihi Potestas.”

Bloody freaking hell. And before Sunggyu could brandish his wand and send an unforgivable at Woohyun (he means it this time), the familiar tug on his stomach was back and was pulling him down once more.

And then everything was black.