“So you’ll meet me tomorrow to study?” Chen asks for what has to be the millionth time.

Xiumin resists the urge to punch Chen in the face.

“I just said no like a billion times,” Xiumin explains, fakely sweet, gritting his teeth.

The two are standing outside of the Hufflepuff common room door, the Ravenclaw having followed the Hufflepuff all the way down to the kitchens even though they had passed the stairs leading up to the Ravenclaw dormitories a while ago.

Chen pouts.

“But why not?” he whines, leaning against the barrels that Xiumin has to tap to get inside.

And there is no way that Xiumin is going to tap out the password with Chen standing right there.

“Because there is no Potions exam,” Xiumin snaps, crossing his arms over his chest. “So we would be studying for nothing.”

“Not true,” Chen immediately counters, and Xiumin rolls his eyes.

“Here we go again.”

“We would be preparing for future exams, which would, theoretically, lead to our successful lives after we get out of Hogwarts, and according to my calculations, which involve the average velocity of your mouth turning down into a frown right now and the weight of my determination, I believe that there is a very probable chance that I can convince you to spend a mere hour or two of your busy life to secure the possibility of one day becoming famous Aurors with loads of money.”

Chen finishes as he’s done the past hundred times he recited this speech, eyes bright and grin huge, looking like an overly excited child.

And Xiumin responds the same way he has the past hundred times Chen has decided to be an obnoxious five year-old.

“I want to be a professor.”

The two stare at each other.

And then Chen groans, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Seriously? I just spent half an hour trying to convince you in every way possible to spend some time with me tomorrow and the only thing you can say every freaking time is that you want to teach?!” he exclaims, running a hand through his hair.

Xiumin begins to grin, secretly pleased that Chen wants to spend time with him, but he stops himself, deciding to push Chen’s buttons just a little bi