Of course, now that Jihyo had had an interaction with the girl, she couldn’t stop seeing her everywhere. It seemed like no matter where she went, Nayeon was there, always giving her that same smug smirk and wiggling her fingers in greeting. Thankfully, their encounters always seemed to stop there, as Nayeon was usually surrounded by a group of friends and Jihyo was usually otherwise occupied.

Unfortunately, Jihyo couldn’t avoid the inevitable forever. (Not that she was actually, actively avoiding Im Nayeon, because there was a part of her that was still itching for the opportunity for a ‘rematch’ of sorts.) The weekly prefect meetings typically consisted of assigning duties for the upcoming week and going over reports of any incidents dealt with that may or may not have happened in the previous days. They could be a little dull, but they were a part of Jihyo’s duties as Head Girl, the responsibility of which she took very seriously.

As soon as she entered the room in which they met, she could feel Im Nayeon’s stare settling on her. Truth be told, Jihyo had hardly noticed the Slytherin prefect before-- she was typically quiet during their meetings, and Jihyo oversaw twenty four different prefects, so it was easy for the quiet ones to fade into the background. After the events concerning Jeongyeon, however, Jihyo couldn’t help but be hyper-aware of Nayeon’s every gaze and movement even if she avoided directly making eye contact with the girl.

Jihyo did her best to keep her composure and soldier through the meeting, but she still found herself irritatingly distracted. Luckily, Jinyoung, the Head Boy, was there and, seemingly sensing Jihyo’s unorganized thoughts, he took control of the majority of the meeting. Instead Jihyo focused on trying not to focus on Nayeon’s seemingly unwavering attention. As a result, Jinyoung’s droning voice went in one ear and out the other.

“Jihyo? Did you get that?” The Gryffindor snapped back to reality when she heard her name being called. She blinked up blankly at Jinyoung who was looking at her with an expression of mild concern.

“Sorry, I was thinking about NEWTs,” Jihyo quickly replied, knowing it would be a believable excuse. A few of the other seventh year prefects murmured in commiseration, and Jinyoung patted her shoulder, nodding his head in understanding.

“No problem. I was just saying that the Slytherins are in charge of nightly patrols this week, but I have an engagement on Wednesday night so they’ll be one short. Would you mind taking my place that night?”

Before she could stop herself, almost as a compulsion, Jihyo turned her head slightly to look at Nayeon. The Slytherin prefect was leaned back in her chair and met her gaze immediately, looking so pleased that Jihyo wanted to scream. She knew that she could find an excuse to give to Jinyoung as to why she actually couldn’t fill in for him that night, however she was determined not to let Nayeon think that Jihyo’s dislike for her would get in the way of her Head Girl duties.

Turning back to look at Jinyoung, Jihyo forced a warm smile. “Of course not, I wouldn’t mind at all,” Jihyo replied smoothly. Jinyoung smiled back and nodded, and with the last order of business taken care of, the meeting was concluded.

As Jihyo made her way to the door, eager to get out of that suddenly stifling room, she felt Nayeon brush past her. Getting a hint of the Slytherin’s flowery perfume, Jihyo heard the girl’s low voice say right next to her ear, “You know, next time you can just admit you were thinking of me and not make excuses. I’ll see you on Wednesday... don’t be late.” Jihyo whipped around to face the girl, but Nayeon was already past her, glancing over her shoulder to smirk at Jihyo as she walked away.

Jihyo had half a mind to yell after the girl, not wanting her to get the last word (yet again), but before she could do so she felt a tap on her shoulder. Releasing a frustrated sigh, Jihyo looked back at the Ravenclaw prefect standing before her. “Hey, Seungwan,” she greeted, forcing another smile.

The Ravenclaw looked at her sympathetically, obviously seeing right through Jihyo’s fake grin. “Long day?”

“Long couple of days,” Jihyo mumbled, allowing her facade to drop in front of her friend.

Seungwan nodded, “Yeah, I know what you mean. You know, if you ever want company studying for the NEWTs, I practically live in the library these days. Although…” Her eyes glinted and quirked knowingly, “I’m not sure if that was really what was occupying your mind today.”

Jihyo chuckled nervously. Of course Seungwan saw right through her excuse, many of the other prefects probably had as well. Nayeon obviously had, anyway. Mentally cursing herself for not being able to maintain a sense of professionalism in the meeting because of some irritating girl, Jihyo began carefully, “I’m sorry I was so distracted today, I just have a lot on my mind at the moment and--”

Seungwan waved her hands to stop Jihyo. “No, no, don’t apologize,” the girl insisted, laughing. “I wasn’t criticizing you. Just take care of yourself, alright?” She squeezed Jihyo’s forearm and gave her a comforting look. “Try not to let… certain people get to you. Often times, all they want is the satisfaction of knowing they got in your head.”

Jihyo released a little laugh and gave Seungwan a playful look. “Right, we get it, you’re a Ravenclaw and you’re super wise,” she teased, “No need to make the rest of us look bad.” At this, Seungwan laughed too and shook her head. Jihyo’s gaze was warm as she said sincerely, “But thank you for the advice. It’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

The Ravenclaw smiled and dipped her head. “Well, if you need to talk or need a study buddy, you know where to find me.” She gave her an encouraging thumbs up, and Jihyo reminded herself again, Everything’ll be fine. Annoying, smug Slytherins be damned.

---

The next couple of days passed by with little incident. Jihyo was so busy with her class work and forcing Jeongyeon to study for the NEWTs with her that she didn’t remember it was Wednesday-- and the responsibilities that came with it-- until Jeongyeon herself brought it up.

They were lounging in stuffed armchairs in the common room studying when Jeongyeon suddenly looked up from her parchment with a frown. “Wait, didn’t you say you had something to do tonight?”

Jihyo was so focused on her Charms homework that she barely heard Jeongyeon. “Hmm?” she replied vaguely, making a face as she accidentally got a blot of ink on the paper.

“Yeah, I think you said you had night patrols or something with her.”

Jeongyeon’s words finally registering in Jihyo’s brain, the Head Girl stiffened. The events of the last prefect meeting coming back to her, Jihyo slapped her forehead with a hand. “Merlin’s beard!” she groaned, “I totally forgot!”

“I don’t blame you, I’d want to forget too,” Jeongyeon snickered, watching with amusement as Jihyo rushed to shove her belongings into her school bag. “Well, good luck! If the demon gives you any trouble, tell her she’ll have to deal with me!” She jerked a thumb toward her chest and Jihyo rolled her eyes.

“Thanks, I’m sure that’ll work. Everyone knows that Im Nayeon is terrified of you,” Jihyo said dryly, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

“Well, she should be!” Jeongyeon’s whining voice was the last thing Jihyo heard as she ducked out of the Fat Lady portrait and hurried in the direction of where she knew the prefects met every night for the patrols.

Jihyo couldn’t believe her own forgetfulness. She knew she’d been a little distracted lately, but this was near unforgivable. It was her duty as Head Girl to be reliable and responsible, and neglecting her obligations certainly did not demonstrate those qualities. She had to be a good role model to the other prefects, as well as the student body as a whole. I won’t make a mistake like this again, she told herself firmly.

As she rounded the corner, she was both disappointed yet unsurprised that the only person waiting there was Nayeon herself. The Slytherin was leaning against the wall inspecting her nails, and when she heard Jihyo’s approaching footsteps, she looked up with that now-characteristic smirk of hers.

“Well, well, look who finally decided to show up,” Nayeon drawled. “It’s been, what-” she glanced at the watch on her wrist, “Almost an hour?” She tsked, shaking her head. “I thought I told you not to be late, Park. Not exactly the behavior of an outstanding Head Girl.” Her dark eyebrows were raised high, head tilted to the side, as if silently daring Jihyo to argue.

Jihyo took a deep breath, remembering Seungwan’s words from a few days earlier. Don’t let her know she’s getting to you. “I’m sorry for being late, but, I’m here now.” Jihyo slowly approached Nayeon, and, frowning, glanced around. “Where are the others?”

Nayeon pushed off from the wall, shrugging her shoulders. “We got sick of waiting so I told them to just go ahead and I’d hang back to wait to see if you’d show up.” Her grin widened, giving Jihyo a brief glimpse of… bunny teeth? If it was anyone but Nayeon, Jihyo may have found them cute, but she swiftly dismissed the thought. “I guess we’ll just have to wander this big, dark castle together, just the two of us.”

Jihyo gave the Slytherin a look. Of course, this was exactly her luck, having to spend the night paired with the one person in the whole school she had a problem with. Biting back a growling sigh, Jihyo nodded her head. “Fine. Best get going, then,” she said stiffly, waiting for Nayeon to lead the way.

“After you, princess,” Nayeon countered, gesturing with a taunting, overdramatic flourish.

Jihyo scoffed to herself at the nickname-- she’d tell Nayeon to quit it if she thought the Slytherin would listen to her. She stalked past the girl, taking the lead as she headed down the corridor. She’d done a fair amount of nightly patrols in her years as prefect, and Jihyo hoped that this night would pass by quickly. At the very least, she hoped Nayeon would have the sense to keep to herself and not bug Jihyo the whole time.

The first half hour proceeded in relative silence. The only sound echoing in the halls were their own footsteps and Jihyo mumbling Charms spells she had to memorize under her breath (careful, of course, not to actually cast any of them). It was only once Jihyo had finished reciting the long list the fourth or fifth time around that she realized the only footsteps she heard in the corridor were her own.

Halting, Jihyo turned and she frowned when she saw Nayeon was no longer walking behind her. “Nayeon?” she called out, peering across the dimly lit hallway to try and make out the girl’s figure. “Seriously…” Jihyo hissed lowly. Did Nayeon really ditch her? Or was she just playing some foolish prank? Jihyo had half a mind to just continue on without the Slytherin, but in the end, her curiosity got the best of her.

Jihyo walked back down the hallway from where they came. She held out her wand and murmured, “Lumos!”, the tip of it immediately glowing a bright white. “Im Nayeon!” she shouted out again, voice growing louder with irritation, “If you’re hiding somewhere, you might as well come out because you’re not going to scare m--”

Before Jihyo could even finish her sentence, a hand reached out from the darkness behind her and seized her shoulder. A scream ripping its way out of , Jihyo whipped around brandishing her wand. “IM NAYEON, I’M GOING TO KILL--” The shout died immediately in when she was met not with the face of the Slytherin prefect, but instead the gaunt, pale face of the Head of the house. “P-Professor Snape,” Jihyo choked out, immediately lowering her lit wand away from the man. “I’m so sorry, Professor, I thought you were--”

“Miss Im, yes, I realize,” the man droned, glaring down at her. “As you can see, I am not. Must I remind you that students are meant to be asleep at this hour? Your dreadfully shrill screams will awake the entire castle.”

Fully aware that her cheeks must be bright red with embarrassment, Jihyo nodded her head and murmured, “Yes, I’m sorry, Professor. I will be more careful from now on.”

Snape simply tutted and whisked his way down the hallway, turning a corner. As soon as he was out of sight and earshot, laughter echoed in the corridor, coming from behind a large tapestry hung on one of the walls. Out from behind it came Im Nayeon, a hand clapped over . “Oh, Merlin, that was amazing! I was just going to pop out and scare you, but that was so much better!” she cackled.

Jihyo scowled at the girl, bursting out, “If you could stop acting like a child for once, we could continue with this patrol and just get it over with!”

Her laughter quieting down, Nayeon rolled her eyes and huffed. “Patrols are so boring. Why don’t you loosen up and have a little fun? Would that seriously kill you?” she demanded, arching a brow.

“Excuse me if I don’t find irresponsibility particularly ‘fun’ or amusing,” Jihyo shot back. “A prefect’s duty is--”

“Irresponsible, huh? Are you questioning whether I’m fit to be a prefect?” Nayeon interrupted. She edged closer to the boundary of Jihyo’s personal space, tilting her head with a smirk that was suddenly dripping with insinuation. “Because, I have to admit, I’m not really used to pretty girls critiquing my performance of all things.”

Her voice was low and teasing, and Jihyo almost choked on her own saliva trying to come up with some kind of adequate response to that statement. Despite her brain short-circuiting somewhat, the Gryffindor managed to force out a quick, “You’re insufferable!” She turned and speed-walked in the opposite direction, not caring this time whether or not the Slytherin followed her. Nayeon was seriously flirting with her now, is that what she was doing? Merlin help me.

Once again Nayeon just laughed, and Jihyo heard the girl’s footsteps close behind. It seemed Nayeon wasn’t willing to sink back into the somewhat comfortable silence from earlier, as after a few seconds her voice called out, “So, how’s your girlfriend doing? I hope her hand’s healed up alright.”

Jihyo rolled her eyes. “If you mean my best friend, Jeongyeon, then it’s none of your business.” She glanced over her shoulder to toss a critical look at the Slytherin, “I doubt you actually care about her wellbeing, anyway.”

Nayeon shook her head with an expression full of faux sincerity. “No, really, I do care. I hope she’ll be all healed up and able to play in the next game.” After a few seconds of Jihyo not replying, Nayeon added, her voice taking on a more sneering tone, “I mean, I’m already debating on what to aim for next, her broom or her—“

In a matter of seconds, her temper no longer able to be contained, Jihyo turned around to confront Nayeon. “I would shut your mouth now, Im. Conspiracy to deliberately injure an opposing player is very strictly against Hogwarts rules and regulations. Yes, I checked. If I relayed to Madam Hooch what you just told me, you could be kicked off the Slytherin team in a heartbeat.” Jihyo’s voice was icily calm, and she finished with a smile. “But, I’m feeling nice tonight, so I’ll let you apologize and this can stay between us.”

For once, that permanent smirk that was always fixed on Nayeon’s face was gone, replaced by a look that seemed a mixture of horror, shock, and… did the Slytherin look almost impressed?

“I was just joking, anyway,” Nayeon eventually said lowly, rolling her eyes and fiddling with her robe. “I wasn’t actually going to try and hurt Yoo. I’m… sorry.” The last word was barely more than a mutter, and the pettier part of Jihyo wanted to make the Slytherin repeat it, especially since she couldn’t be positive that Nayeon actually meant what she said. But, again feeling merciful, Jihyo simply nodded in acceptance of her apology.

Just then, one of the other Slytherin prefect patrols came around the corner. Jihyo’s eyes lit up at the perfect opportunity and she called out to them, “Hey, would you guys mind switching partners for the rest of the night?” The two Slytherins boys exchanged looks and just shrugged, so Jihyo picked one of them to go with her and instructed Nayeon to go with the other.

Nayeon was still looking particularly shell-shocked, so Jihyo gave her the biggest smile she could muster and wiggled her fingers as she walked away in a perfect imitation. “Seeya around, Im.”