Content Warning: bullying (i.e., unsolicited "good-natured" teasing) and anxiety

 

Dark clouds hang over students as they mill about the halls and grounds, most leaning so far into their textbooks they’re likely to be bitten by annoyed page sprites. Others have the soulless look of a Dementor’s kiss, wandering blindly and muttering spells and potion ingredients.

Baekhyun is somewhere in the middle of the two. He’s not carrying any books, and he is mumbling, but his tests are done. All that’s left is a practical in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

On his left, Chanyeol drags his feet and fiddles with his tie, charming it to tie and untie itself in a bow. He dodges a distracted seventh-year student and grimaces at their blank expression. “If this is just how I feel just during O.W.L.s, I think I may drop out before our N.E.W.T.s,” he says, watching the other student trip and tangle with one of the tall candelabras lining the hall.

Kyungsoo whacks Chanyeol’s wand aside before he can hex his green-striped necktie. “You don’t have to go to class today, you know. It’s not required.”

“It’s not?” Chanyeol blinks stupidly, then smiles brightly. If Kyungsoo says so, it must be true. He can go back to bed! Or—even better—the Quidditch pitch! He’s missed practice due to studying and hasn’t flown in forever. It's tempting to Baekhyun, too.

Kyungsoo won’t let him leave, however, and grabs his sleeve. “Are your ears still full of wax from Jongdae’s jinx?” The jinxer chuckles on Kyungsoo’s other side. “The Patronus Charm is just like a bonus. A huge bonus. Most wizards and witches don’t ever conjure a Patronus, so this seems like a waste of time,” Kyungsoo mumbles, more to himself, then, louder, “but bonus points are bonus points.”

Says the boy who willingly sat for seven subject exams, even after saying success in school is ultimately meaningless.

Hypocritical overachiever.

He also says he just likes to know how good he is at certain subjects and if pursuing them is worth his time. O.W.L.s can determine if a student has an affinity for a subject that could lead to a working position after graduation. Kyungsoo's backup plan, if all else fails, is to become a professional dueller. He hasn't been beaten once in class.

“But what if,” Chanyeol frees his sleeve and slings an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulders, doing a remarkable impression of a boy carrying an unwilling but tolerant pet cat, “we actually do it? We’d be, like, famous!” They did learn about it in class and heard about their use against Dementors during the Wizarding War. According to rumor, their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor can actually conjure one, but he didn't show it at the time, and it was a single day's lesson before moving on to the Tongue-Tying Curse.

Surprise, surprise. Jongdae really excelled that day.

“I bet mine’s like a tiger or something,” Chanyeol boasts, releasing Kyungsoo to gesture wildly. “Or a really agile monkey!”

“I could see a monkey,” Kyungsoo remarks flatly.

“Yours is probably a really angry cat or a goose, and Jongdae...a ferret.”

Jongdae barks an incredulous laugh and brandishes his wand. “Why a ferret?!” He chases Chanyeol around their friends as they continue to class, forcing other students to dodge and duck out of reach.

“I like ferrets! They’re smart and playful and cuddly; it’s a compliment! I promise!” Jongdae also acts like a weasel, sometimes, slyly instigating tricks and laughing at the results. Baekhyun thinks it really does suit him but won't say so aloud.

Chanyeol grabs him and uses him as a shield, foolishly believing Jongdae won't hex Baekhyun to curse Chanyeol. “Baek, what do you think yours is gonna be?”

Baekhyun shrugs. “I dunno. Probably some kind of dog?” He’s been compared to a dog most of his life, which he accepts. He’s a people-person and likes making people happy. Sometimes he pees outside. He likes having his hair pet and being given treats.

He’s also been known to pout when things don’t go his way and guilt people into doing what he wants.

Kyungsoo opens the Standard Books of Spells and reads a passage: “‘This ancient and mysterious charm conjures a magical guardian, a projection of all your most positive feelings. The Patronus Charm is difficult, and many witches and wizards are unable to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, a guardian which generally takes the shape of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity. You may suspect, but you will never truly know what form your Patronus will take until you succeed in conjuring it.’” Snapping it shut, he closes his eyes and sighs. “Hoping and gossiping will accomplish nothing.”

“Wow, Soo. Thanks for the support.” Baekhyun hooks an arm over the other boy’s shoulders, nearly making him drop his books because they're just shy of the same height.

“You’re more like a puppy, anyway,” Jongdae states. He smiles and shrugs at Baekhyun’s raspberry.

“Why would we need this spell, anyway? It’s above N.E.W.T level magic. Dementors were only at Azkaban, and they’re the only thing it’s good against.”

“That is probably why it isn’t required, but it has been known to have an effect on Lethifolds, as well.”

Chanyeol tilts his head curiously and pushes his glasses back up his nose. “Lethifolds…?”

Kyungsoo sighs again. He sighs a lot when with his friends. “Didn’t you pay attention in Magical Creatures class at all?"

"A Lethifold is a nocturnal predator," Jongdae interjects. He drags his sleeve over Kyungsoo's face, dodging the sharp elbow to his gut. "It kills by smothering its victims, because it’s basically a sentient cloak.”

Chanyeol pales and holds his cloak away from himself, poking the pockets for any hidden teeth. “I, uh, must have been gone that day...”

“You’re unlikely to meet one, and even if you did, there’s nothing you can do unless you can produce a Patronus, so,” Jongdae shrugs, and Kyungsoo nods. Perform or die.

“...Thanks.”

They continue their walk in silence, maybe dragging their feet a little more than usual. It's really too nice a day for an exam. Summer has completely claimed the grounds, and there's a breeze rather than wind that keeps the clouds moving at a gentle pace. The warmth even has the giant squid in a good mood; Baekhyun can see some students playing with it as it basks in the shallows of the lake.

Chanyeol frets while messing with his hair, Jongdae tries to hex Chanyeol’s hair pink, Kyungsoo suggests adding a perm to the hex, and Baekhyun chews his fingers absently.

A Patronus Charm… A guardian which generally takes the shape of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity... Generally, but not necessarily. What could be more of a guardian than a dog? Baekhyun really thinks he’s most like a dog and in the best sense. Dogs are loyal, fun, smart, cute, and great company.

Just like Baekhyun.

Someone's toad—or possibly a wild toad incredibly tolerant of tiny sweaters—hops onto the ledge of an open window to enjoy the sunshine. Jongdae taps its warty back and points to the cat hiding behind a tapestry, paws visible and tail curling. It looks shocked when the tapestry lifts, as though by magic, then stands with its tail high to rub along Baekhyun's legs.

Being the first generation in years to show an affinity for magic, his family never really paid attention to the sorts of pets that can aid a witch or wizard. When an owl came to deliver his letter on his eleventh birthday, their family dog nearly ate it, and his mom nearly passed out from all the shrieking and barking.

It had taken a few days before all the feathers were completely cleaned up, having floated into crevices in the floorboards and behind books and knickknacks. Even profusely apologizing in writing and in person, he’s still not been entirely forgiven; whenever mail is delivered, that owl makes sure to leave a pellet with a partly-eaten old Howler or a sprite in front of him.

Better than the attempts to peck him bald, he supposes.

Engrossed in his thoughts, Baekhyun nearly walks into the classroom door, and Chanyeol nearly walks into him. Jongdae bows and motions grandly to the open doorway. Only a handful of other students have shown up; Chanyeol wishes he’d skipped as well, but it would be embarrassing to leave now.

They shuffle into the classroom and mingle quietly. For a room hosting Defense Against the Dark Arts, it's bright and cheerful. The portraits showcase some more colorful characters related to the subject's history or lessons, but they appear much milder hanged between open windows with floral chintz curtains. The floor is clear of desks, which sit stacked haphazardly along the inside wall.

At the front of the room, Professor Changmin Shim sits on his desk and chats with a pair of blushing female students. He’s a popular, handsome teacher who grades fairly and doesn’t act on favoritism. Baekhyun’s always liked him.

They must be the last ones. Professor Shim smiles and nods at the girls and seems to do a quick headcount before standing, calling attention. "This is everyone?" A wave of his wand closes the door, and regardless of the professor's warm greeting and the general sunniness of the classroom, Baekhyun has a sense of doom heavy in his gut. He doesn't test well and hates closed doors.

"I'm sure you're aware that this test has no negative bearing on your O.W.L.s. If you succeed—fantastic. If not—not a big deal. It's a rarely performed spell." Tucking his hands in his pockets, Professor Shim looks over the students. "Who remembers the two types of Patronus?"

"Non-corporeal and corporeal," Jongdae says, before the silence can get awkward.

"Correct. Thank you, Jongdae. A non-corporeal Patronus looks sort of like a mist, shapeless; a corporeal Patronus has a distinct, identifiable form. They're usually an animal, but there have been magical creatures, as well, such as Professor Dumbledore's phoenix.

“Now," he continues, "only good-hearted witches and wizards can perform this spell—"

"You're screwed, Soo," Chanyeol mutters. He whines when his foot is stepped on.

"—Even if an evil wizard is brilliant with magic, the spell won’t work.”

A red-headed boy raises his hand. “What happens if they try?”

“Maggots erupt from your wand and eat you alive.” After a beat, the professor claps his hands and marches to the front of the room, where a raised platform stretches before the wall. “Alright, guys. Any other questions before we begin?"

"If I'm devoured by maggots, will you tell my mother I love her?" The group laughs, and Professor Shim nods solemnly.

"Of course. Anything else?"

"What's your Patronus look like?" a girl asks. Baekyhun's curious, too. He imagines something soft-feeling, gentle, like a sheep.

"You'll see in a moment. If there are no more questions, I'll give a demonstration." He brandishes his wand. "Think happy thoughts! The happier the better, and hold onto them! The Patronus is born from that feeling. When you have it firmly in your mind, make circles with your wand and clearly recite the spell: Expecto Patronum. Best to be loud; we enunciate better when loud.”

Chanyeol nudges Baekhyun. “You’re always loud. This should be easy for you.” On his other side, Jongdae chuckles. Only he can rival Baekhyun’s decibels.

“Watch me.” The professor brings his arms close, spins in place, and throws his feet out to stand firmly, dramatically ing his wand towards the ceiling. “Expecto Patronum!” Brilliant white light erupts from his wand, flowing around the room like spider silk on a breeze. It takes form over the heads of the enthralled class, zipping among them so fast it leaves a silver trail of vapor.

A hummingbird.

“See? It can be done." The hummingbird lands on Professor Shim's wand, ruffles its wings, and disappears. "I don’t expect any of you to master it, just to try. Like all magic, it takes patience and practice. Again, there is nothing lost if you don't produce one.

“Now," he steps off the platform, "we’ll go one by one, and I’d like everyone else to be respectful and quiet.” A couple of girls to Baekhyun’s left giggle and duck their heads. He feels giggly himself but not in a fun way. "Anyone want to go first?"

The professor's theatrical demonstration has an uplifting effect on the students. They feel more at ease and amused, a better state of being for recalling other happy memories. Heeyeon, a pretty girl with high grades and a big laugh, plants her feet a little more than shoulder-width apart, shakes her hair back off her shoulders, and recites the spell as though hyping up a Quidditch crowd.

Silver slips from the tip of her wand, weaving like smoke with a purpose. It takes no greater form, but the professor claps heartily, and the class stares in wonder before erupting with applause and cheers.

Heeyeon bounces in a circle, giggling ecstatically, and trips back to her equally excited friends.

The dread in Baekhyun's belly sloshes, spilling over to his feet. The very first person, on her first-ever attempt, did it? Everyone after her has something to prove, now.

One by one, the students attempt and fail.

Kyungsoo looks disappointed in not being able to produce even a ribbon of a Patronus.

Jongdae shrugs after nearly deafening the room with the spell. “I tried.”

“You probably scared yours away!” Seokjin, one unfortunate enough to not have stepped farther away, rubs his ears.

Chanyeol tries after Byuli—who was triumphant with a slim, non-corporeal Patronus— concentrating so hard his face turns red yet not manifesting anything.

After the last couple of girls dejectedly tuck their wands away, Professor Shim waves Baekhyun to the front of the circle of students. He demonstrates the wand motion again—probably the easiest they’ve ever learned—then crosses his arms to watch.

Think happy thoughts. A pleasant memory… It’s hard to choose just one, but he's also not feeling in the mood for joviality. He'd prefer to just skip his turn. Everyone can leave earlier, then. He can go outside with his friends, play Exploding Snap or take their brooms to the Quidditch pitch.

It's too late to back down; his feet have already walked him to the front of the group. Someone may have pushed him; he doesn't remember. Planting his feet firmly, Baekhyun twists his wrist a few times and feels the tingle of magic gather before raising his wand into the air. Drawing in a deep breath, he bellows, “Expecto Patronum!”

And he waits.

Magic is often instantaneous, but some spells flow, rather than burst, and patience is not his forte.

But Baekhyun can feel something. The sensation of magic working, an exhilarating thrill that raises the hair on his arms and makes his scalp tingle. White light swirls around him, and he sees a silver form with four legs, triangular ears, a flat snout—

—and a skinny, curlycue tail.

“Aww,” Heeyon coos, “it’s a piglet!”

Someone oinks behind his back, and Baekhyun feels his ears grow hot. The Patronus vanishes mid-huff at his feet.

"Well done, Baekhyun!" Professor Shim claps merrily. "I'm very impressed—I don't think I've seen so many Patronuses at once. The headmaster is going to be thrilled. Everyone should be proud of themselves for even attempting such a spell, and those of you who weren't successful—that may change in the future. Magic takes practice, and this spell relies a lot more on your mood and memories. If you'd like to try again for fun, for as long as you're a student, you can come to my office anytime."

That's the end of class. Baekhyun accepts the hearty pats and congratulatory hugs from his classmates and friends with less considerably enthusiasm.

Of all animals...a pig. His soul, his essence, is a mud-loving, slop-eating pig.

When they walk the hall, there's a squeal and more oinking, although Baekhyun doesn't see anyone but a serene ghost who shrugs when he turns around.

“Ignore the haters, Baek,” Jongdae says, hooking an arm around his shoulders. “You’re one of the few in our class, and among the wizarding world, who can even perform a Patronus Charm! It’s special.” Rumors fly fast in a wizarding school, however, and Baekhyun can imagine the reaction of some of their classmates.

Some kids are mean just for the sake of being mean. Then there are those who find something funny and beat the joke to death, oblivious that no one finds it funny but them.

"In a weird way, it suits you," Kyungsoo adds thoughtfully. "It's unexpected."

Baekhyun nods at the encouragement, but his lower lip trembles. He sniffs and pulls out of his friend's hold. “I’ll see you later; I'm going back to our room...” Ducking into the next hall, he keeps his head down to disappear into the crowds of students, feeling even worse for blatantly ditching his best friends.

He just doesn’t want to face anybody right now. Since he was little, he’s had a bad habit of crying when frustrated, and the last thing he wants anyone else to see him bawling like a baby, especially because for all intents and purposes he was hugely successful and has seemingly nothing to be frustrated about. Baekhyun just doesn't think that way.

Of all things, why a pig? It could manifest as literally anything—an excitable otter, a majestic stag, a tenacious terrier, a rising phoenix, a devoted wolf, anything.

And Baekhyun's is bacon.

The Fat Lady tells him to “chin up!” because pigs are symbolic of wealth and fertility. Baekhyun thinks she may also be a little biased because she resembles a pig, if pigs wore pink silk. He mumbles the password and pushes past her. Nobody is in the common room, all in class or enjoying the unusually mild weather, so Baekhyun can slink upstairs unnoticed.

Byun Baekhyun: the rich and fertile boy who lived.

Portraits are even more gossipy than the students. It's not even been fifteen minutes, but the portraits in the DADA classroom were probably updating their neighbors as class was going on, so if the Fat Lady knows about his Patronus, odds are good the entire school's painted population knows.

All he wants is some peace and space to wallow. He finds an origami pig rolling in his dirty socks and crumbles it into a ball, then throws himself onto his bed to nap his emotions away.

When he wakes up, the sun is still up, so it’s not much later. His eyes are dry and swollen from crying, and his pillowcase is damp. Footsteps creep up the stairs outside, and he flips his pillow over before scrubbing at his face with the sleeve of his robe. He didn't undress or even remove his shoes before flopping onto his bed.

“I figured you’d still be here.” Jongdae looks in and walks into the room, followed by Chanyeol. They sit on either side of Baekhyun.

“How?”

“I have eyes everywhere, you know.” With a brother in nearly every house, plus Kyungsoo in Slytherin, Jongdae’s connected. “Jongin said you came in a while ago, crying.” He must have been laying on the sofa facing the fireplace, unseen from the door or stairs.

"You feeling okay?" Chanyeol asks. He withers under Jongdae's glare. "What?"

Baekhyun waves a hand and shifts to pull his robe off. "I'm fine..."

"You don't cry when you're fine," Jongdae says. He leans against Baekhyun's side. "But there's not much to do about it, you know? Kids will be jerks until they find something more entertaining than someone achieving something super incredible."

"My Patronus is a pig!" Baekhyun bursts, feeling fresh, hot tears welling in his eyes. "What does that say about me?"

"You're delicious and popular?" Chanyeol flinches, nearly falling off the bed. "Seriously, Baek, the feat itself is more important than the Patronus's form. I've never known a bad pig. Who has ever heard of an evil pig? Pigs are friends! You're a good person, and your Patronus reflects that."

Baekhyun feels miserable making his friends worry and comfort him.

"If you really want, Professor Shim is still in his office. We can go talk to him before dinner." Jongdae shrugs. "See what he has to say." Leaning forward to look at Baekhyun's downcast face, he softly adds, "Okay?" Baekhyun nods.

Chanyeol holds Baekhyun's robe for him to put his arms into, and Jongdae reties the gold-and-red tie loosely but neatly around his neck. Baekhyun appreciates it, but he still feels bad for his friends feeling the need to hold his hand and baby him because he can't control his emotions.

Most students they see in the hall offer a greeting, if anything, and that's it. Life seems normal until Chanyeol shouts at a mirror that's been jinxed to show anyone looking into it as a pig.

"You make a handsome pig, Chanyeol," Jongdae remarks, lifting the boy's glasses and amusing himself with the reflected bespectled pig.

Baekhyun wants to go back to bed until break, then he can go home and stay in bed with his old, reliable dog, who wouldn't care if he was a boy or a pig as long as they could still cuddle.

No one is in the DADA classroom, but the office door is open. Professor Shim sits at his desk, charming a rubber ball to bounce between the walls. At the knock on the doorframe, his heels fall off his desk, and he scrambles to look professional before facing the visitors. The ball falls to his desk, jumps into a drawer, and thunks against the underside of the desktop when the drawer is shut.

"Hello, boys!" His enthusiasm dims, noticing the red around Baekhyun's eyes. "What can I do for you?"

“Professor, can Patronuses change?”

Professor Shim sighs and flicks his wand, sending a pile of students’ work into a whirlwind over an open bag. They shrink as they spin, stacking neatly among extra quills, books, a scarf, and a sleeping toad. “They can.”

“How do I do it?”

“It’s not a conscious choice on the part of the witch or wizard." Sitting forward to rest his elbows on his knees, he lets his hands fall flat with his palms to the ceiling. "The Patronus takes its form from you. Maybe you don’t see it in yourself—”

“Pretty sure I’d notice if I was a pig,” Baekhyun mumbles. Chanyeol squeezes his shoulder.

“—but the Patronus Charm is what it is for a reason. Something very traumatic may induce a change, more traumatic than teasing from your classmates,” he adds solemnly, “and I would not wish that on anyone. What’s so bad about pigs, anyway?”

“I guess nothing, if you’re a pig. They taste good? They...can sniff out...mushrooms or something…?”

“Pigs are one of the most intelligent creatures as well as the most sociable." Professor Shim sits back in his chair. The toad hops from his bag onto his knee. "People see them as dirty, because they’ve kept them in mud pens. Anyone would be pretty filthy, though, growing up in mud. More cultures revere them than shun them.

“And honestly, Baekhyun, I am amazed simply by the fact that such a young wizard could produce a physical Patronus! You must have had a very remarkable memory in mind.”

“I just thought about all my friends and family, the fun we’ve had, and how much I love them and love being with them.” He blushes when Jongdae coos. Chanyeol turns around, sniffing and wiping his eyes.

The professor grins but schools his expression when he looks at Baekhyun again. “Has that changed?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know… I guess they all don’t mean to be mean, but it’s frustrating being teased about something I can’t really control, especially something most people can't even do.”

“It is. My own personal philosophy is that you can only be teased if you let yourself be. If it doesn’t bother you; it’s not teasing. It’s being a nuisance.” He rolls his wand between a thumb and forefinger, eyeing Jongdae with a playful gleam in his eyes. “And nuisances get jinxed.”

Most professors don't readily suggest pranks to students, but all Professor Shim does is make a leading statement, allowing the boys' imaginations to do the rest. He doesn't like seeing his students upset; watching the inseparable trio leave his office in a huddle around Baekhyun, whose shoulders seem to uncurl like a plant's leaves in sunlight, he's pretty sure he'll hear from Professor Kwon, head of Gryffindor, before the week is over.

It takes a couple of days—they need a weekend to go to Honeyduke's—but Jongdae leads a plan that should give the rumor mill something new to sweep along.

And it's really pure coincidence that the day they deem ripe for pranking is the day an older boy—oldest of five siblings and really not a bad person but used to teasing younger kids—calls to Baekhyun when he returns from the library. “Hey, Byun!” He pushes his nose up with his thumb and snorts. "Find any good truffles?"

Recalling Professor Shim's advice, Baekhyun laughs. “That’s a good look on you!” He pulls his wand from his pocket and casts a transfiguration spell. First, the nose flattens, then his ears grow long and floppy. It's not a complete transfiguration; he just looks ridiculously ugly and tries to hide himself as he escapes up the tower stairs. “But you’ve got nothing on the real deal!”

On cue, the common room erupts into chaos. Students pull their legs up and shriek as unseen bodies bolt beneath tables and armchairs. Some race up the steps to their rooms or jump onto furniture. One of the boys leaps onto the mantle, gracelessly clinging to a portrait for balance as its subject protests.

A quintet of bright pink piglets squeal and grunt merrily, diving into the piles of snacks and throwing books and parchment into the air like confetti.

Jongin weakly holds onto his brother’s shoulders, wheezing with laughter. Chanyeol is on the ground, having hidden to keep the pigs a surprise, giggling and turning his head when piglets sniff his face. One takes his glasses and runs away.

Baekhyun casts a transfiguration spell on himself, shrinking down to a cloven-hooved piglet wearing a too-long tie. With a whooping squeal, he runs around the commons room, leading the others in a race and dodging the hands of those brave enough to try and stop the mini stampede.

It’s nice to just run wild once in a while. Flying is great, but it doesn’t stretch his muscles and does actually require a fair amount of concentration and attention. Pigs don’t have to worry about things like that. They just eat, sleep, roll around…

Make disgusting piles that they run through and track everywhere...

The head of Gryffindor house interrupts, red-faced and gobsmacked. Before anyone can explain or blame anyone else, all six piglets are ordered outside. "Outside or to the kitchen!" Chanyeol and Jongin chase the piglets, piling them all into their arms and picking off the bits of debris that have stuck to their strangely tacky skin. Being an otherwise uninvolved party, Jongin passes his pigs to his brother.

"We'll take them, ma'am. They must have snuck somehow."

Professor Kwon doesn't look convinced, following them with a suspicious eye until the boys turn a corner and start to run. Snuffles and snorts bounce off the old stone walls, mixing with Chanyeol and Jongdae's laughter. Some portraits lean to try and see what the noise is from, and a couple of ghosts cast disgusted looks their way. Once out of sight, however, the boys carry the piglets to the One-Eyed Witch.

“Of all her features,” Chanyeol mumbles, a little out of breath, “that’s the one she’s known for…”

Looking up and down the hall, Jongdae sets the piglet with the necktie down and transfigures Baekhyun back into himself. He pats his head and rear to be sure he's all normal and smiles brightly.

“Alright, fellas, thanks for your help!” The quintet grunts and snorts, wagging their little curled tails when given a handful of chocolate truffles each.

The witch’s hump shifts aside at the password, revealing a slide. Squeals of delight echo off the stone walls as the piglets zoom into the dark. “Bye, gummy pigs!”

“Should we go with them?” Chanyeol leans into the passageway, barely catching himself when Jongdae nudges the backs of his knees.

“The tunnel only goes one way; they’ll make it and make enough noise to be found in Honeyduke’s.”

“I’m kinda gonna miss them… They were sticky but fun.” The statue closes, and the trio slowly returns to the common room.

"Hey, Chanyeol, where are your glasses?"

Chanyeol touches his face and swears softly, turning around. "I gotta go get them!"

"They're probably in the common room," Baekhyun says. The piglets only had bits of paper and quill stuck to them. One had a sock, but socks disappear all the time. "Someone will pick them up."

The glasses are waiting on Chanyeol's nightstand in their room. Professor Kwon apparently sent everyone to bed in a misguided attempt to prevent any more foolishness. As if the change in setting will stop tomfoolery.

Baekhyun's changed into his pajamas when someone taps his shoulder. The transfigured boy sheepishly apologizes. "It was stupid fun. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. Could you change me back? I'm...not very good with transfiguration spells bigger than a cup."

"You don't like being a pig?" Baekhyun chuckles but changes him back to normal. "Too bad. Pigs are great."

---

a/n: Written for round two of WingarByun Leviosa. (prompt R1-005 Baekhyun always expected his patronus to be some type of dog. He's surprised when it's not.)

 

For those who are unaware: Pigs are friends. They're super smart and affectionate and social, but they're also at the top of the list of animals that, if left to their own devices, will go feral really quick.

So care for your pigs, and they will care for you.