“Tae, it’s not your fault.” Jihyun comforted Taehyung as they settled on the plastic seats with the rest of the group after they had sent Jungkook to the hospital wing. The scene felt all too familiar - it hadn’t been too long since the last time they were here, where Jungkook was injured as well.

“It is his fault!” Ahreum’s voice boomed through the quiet hallway, and the entire group glared at her while Taehyung looked down at his knees silently. “If he wasn’t such a coward, Jungkook wouldn’t have to save you.” Ahreum pointed to Jihyun, whose strong stance faded away slightly. 

Ahreum wasn’t entirely wrong. If Jungkook hadn’t saved her, he wouldn’t be lying unconscious in the hospital bed now - but it still wasn’t Taehyung’s fault for not being able to go underwater. 

“I don’t even understand why he would save you. You don’t even mean anything to him.” Ahreum spat bitterly, and Jin stepped in this time. 

“At least Jihyun’s his friend, you’re just part of Jungkook’s past.” Yoongi retorted snarkily, and Ahreum merely scoffed. “Well, if I don’t mean anything to him, then why was I at the bottom of the lake? The ones who are at the bottom of the lake represent someone precious to the person.” 

“Correction.” Namjoon chimed in this time, “Professor Neville added that you could’ve been precious to the person before, so that’s probably why you were there.” 

Jimin snickered before continuing, “And considering the rumours that you’ve been spreading about you getting back together with Jungkook, no wonder people would’ve gotten the wrong idea.” 

Ahreum’s face flushed slightly when Jimin had called her out. 

She had been falsifying the rumours and creating a discussion among the students about her and Jungkook dating again, publicizing her feelings to everyone. 

Hogwarts loved gossip. 

From students to teachers, everyone had gotten wind of the news. Countless people had been harassing Jungkook and the entire group, to which they just merely rolled their eyes and gave the same answer, “Rumours are just rumours.” 

As long as Jungkook and his friends knew the true answer, it didn’t matter what other people said. 

“Anyway,” Ahreum cleared slightly, “I don’t understand why you’re so afraid of the water. For goodness sake you’re a man, and a sixth-year student! You can’t even save-” 

“Will you just shut the up, Jung Ahreum?” Jihyun finally cracked as she looked away from Taehyung, who was still wearing a guilty expression.

“Don’t you dare insult Taehyung anymore, or I’ll throw you into the Great Lake later and you’re going to become the merpeople’s dinner, got it?” Jihyun stared menacingly at the girl as she fell silent. The rest of the boys smiled slightly at Jihyun’s outburst. 

“That’s my girl.” Hoseok said with an affectionate smile as he patted Jihyun’s head. 

--
His eyes fluttered open before it closed tightly again when the harsh lighting blinded his sight. Squinting slightly, he slowly regained his vision as he adjusted to the brightness. There was a slight throbbing in his head, and when he tried moving, he could feel his muscles aching. 

“He’s awake!” He heard a familiar voice shout. When he turned to the left, he saw Ahreum holding his hand excitedly, with Taehyung, Jimin and Hoseok beside her looking at him with a relieved smile. 

On his right, Jihyun was looking at him with widened eyes, while Jin, Namjoon and Hoseok stood beside her, looking over him frantically. 

“W-what happened?” He asked groggily, propping himself to sit up as Jihyun placed the pillow against the bed railing comfortably for him. He could feel his muscles popping from the inactivity of laying on the bed. 

“You were losing so much blood from your wounds, and your bubble head charm didn't work anymore because you stayed longer than an hour.” Namjoon explained as Jungkook nodded, taking a swig of water to quench his thirst. 

“How long have I been out for?” He asked, “A couple of hours.” Jimin explained. 

“Eunhyuk won the first round, but because you managed to save two people, Gryffindor was awarded 100 points as well.” Jin said with a smile, and Jungkook glanced over at Taehyung to see a guilty expression forming on his face.

“You helped me to save Ji when I couldn’t. I really appreciate it, Jungkook.” Taehyung said gratefully. “It’s fine, Tae. Everything turned out well, didn’t it?” Jungkook smiled lightly. 

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to go underwater and caused this mess.” Taehyung said with guilt evident in his voice while Jimin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. 

“It’s okay, Tae. It’s not easy for you either.” Jungkook said, and Ahreum had to interrupt again. 

“Anyone could have done it, he was just weak.” Ahreum mumbled under her breath, but Jihyun had caught it anyway. She was pretty sure that Taehyung did too as his facial expression fell and he looked towards the ground. 

“Get the out of the room, Jung Ahreum.” Jihyun spat towards the girl, and Jungkook looked taken aback. 

“Wait, what did she do?” Jungkook asked in confusion as Ahreum shot a pitiful look towards him. 

“She,” Jihyun pointed to Ahreum, “Has been yakking all day about how Tae should’ve jumped into that lake and saved me instead of you.” 

“Jung Ahreum,” Jihyun continued, “You have no rights to talk about this at all. You don’t know us, you don’t know Tae, you don’t know a single thing. So shut up and get the hell out of here.” 

“Oh, one more thing,” Jihyun continued as the whole room fell silent. 

“ I don’t know why the you are here when this has nothing to do with you.” 

Everyone was staring furtively between the two girls who were looking at each other with intimidating glares, and the boys could tell that Jihyun was beyond livid. 

“I’m here for Jungkook.” She laid a hand on his arm protectively, and Jihyun couldn’t help but roll her eyes. 

“Why should you be here? You and him are history, it’s over - so stop being delusional about it.” Jihyun retorted. 

“Because I’m still in love with him!” Ahreum shrieked loudly, and the whole room except for Jihyun widened their eyes in surprise. 

“It’s not love if you’re after his money.” Jihyun remarked snarkily, and Ahreum looked mildly offended at her words. “I’m not after his money.” 

“Says the one who wore moonstone necklaces and had Pygmy Puffs as pets.” 

“Why does it bother you so much that I’m here? Do you like Jungkook too?” Ahreum asked all of a sudden, and this time, Jihyun was at a loss for words. 

The whole room looked at her, waiting for her answer as thousands of thoughts raced through her mind and her heartbeat quickened. 

Was that the reason why she had been feeling so upset whenever she saw Jungkook and Ahreum together? Could that explain why she had been so concerned when Jungkook had gotten injured, or the reason why she had brewed healing potions for him - both times when he had been injured, or the reason for the butterflies in her stomach whenever he was near?

The answer seemed clear, but she couldn’t stand looking at Ahreum’s smug face. 

“I’m not like you.” Jihyun finally said, and she couldn’t help but notice that Jungkook’s anticipating eyes had fallen slightly. 

“I don’t want you here because you’re making unnecessary remarks and causing hurt to my friends.” 

“Now get out of here before I hex you.” Jihyun took out her wand threateningly, and Ahreum reached into her pocket as self-defense. 

“I’ll see you later.” Ahreum said to Jungkook with a smile, sti