Chapter Text
26th June, 2009
Year Two, End of Final Term.
“You would have done perfectly well in Ravenclaw, you know.” Amina Humberston scans Wonwoo’s marks once more, which mostly consist of letters O and E. With only a sly A for Transfiguration—much to Wonwoo’s disappointment. The woman seated at the desk did assure him that he needn’t think too much over one subject but knowing Wonwoo, he’d take that as a sign to obliterate Mingyu Kim next year who’s maintained his position at the top of the class.
“Now,” She removes her glasses, setting them on the desk, and finally looks at Wonwoo. The boy clad in maroon-detailed robes that finally fell perfectly on him, felt even smaller than he ever had since his first year at the school. And Wonwoo knows he’s become exceptionally taller by then. “Let’s talk about your electives for next year. Is your mind already set, Mr. Jeon?”
“Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures, Professor.”
Humberston gives him a smile of satisfaction. Wonwoo concludes that they may be already done for the day.
“I expected that you’d be joining the same classes as your lot, but I seemed to have assumed wrong.” The woman says as she leans back on her chair. “With that said, your chosen electives fit well with your strengths regarding your core subjects, and I see no need for intervention. That is unless, of course, you would need to change your mind along the way, and for that you will need to consult me again.”
Wonwoo nods once Professor Humberston asks if everything’s been clear, and shakes his head when asked if he had any further questions.
With that, he was dismissed.
Walking out of the office, he came face-to-face with Soonyoung Kwon who was happily opening a box of candies.
“Wonwoo,” The boy smiles as he spots his friend descend the stairs. Wonwoo’s stomach seemed to have started burning up again. A common occurrence he’s noticed with himself for the entirety of second term. An occurrence, he’s also noticed, that only applies when Soonyoung was present. “Took you long enough.”
“I already told you to not wait up.”
Soonyoung shrugs as he offers him a sherbet lemon. Wonwoo politely turns it down as they start walking back to the dorms.
“Did ya get Divination and Muggle Studies like Mingyu and I did?” Wonwoo shakes his head. “Aw, you little traitor.”
Wonwoo punches his friend on the shoulder lightly, “You’re just upset you wouldn’t be able to copy my essays.”
He wouldn’t admit it to himself but he’s glad he won’t be seeing Soonyoung’s face for two of his classes. Not when he’s becoming more and more distracted everytime the boy’s near him. And he can’t allow that, not when he’s made it an obligation to do even better in his third year.
“I’m actually more upset that I wouldn’t get to beat your ass in those classes. Makes it less thrilling now that I think about it.” Soonyoung shrugs, popping another sweet in his mouth. Wonwoo would’ve called him an arrogant twat as he always did when they were first years, but he can’t deny that the guy actually has the rights to boast, topping Charms and Potions with no difficulties, and being on par with Wonwoo in the rest of their classes. Even A History of Magic where Soonyoung sometimes has a hard time with.
Their friendship had a rocky start, with Soonyoung’s personality rubbing off Wonwoo the wrong way. He hated loud and obnoxious people, not to mention those that made it obvious they’re from a family of pure-bloods. And Soonyoung Kwon was just that. But they eventually became close. The how has been scraped off of Wonwoo’s list of problems at this point. It just happened.
“It’s less thrilling probably because you chose Divination and Muggle Studies, Kwon,” Wonwoo teases.
“Hey, I’ll have you know Muggle Studies are a joy for pure-bloods like me, Jeon.” Wonwoo can attest to that when Soonyoung looked like a complete kid browsing through his collection of David Bowie albums the year before, seeing the items for the first time, almost breaking Wonwoo’s new CD player that his mom gifted him on his 11th birthday along the way.
Although, Wonwoo’s more than glad that he gets to share one of his interests with someone else now. Seungcheol and Mingyu couldn’t care less about muggle music, telling him that they just prefer the Weird Sisters’ tunes more. Wonwoo didn’t bother them any further. Soonyoung, however, made it a personal mission to listen to every muggle-made song in existence and have everyone do the same. To which, Wonwoo reminded him that that would be physically impossible.
“And Divination?”
Soonyoung clicks his tongue, “Not the best choice, I know, but Kim took it so I figured so should I. You know my ego won’t forgive me if I allow him to take all the glory, right? That git.” Wonwoo snorts. “Guess I’ll just have to continue stealing your notes for History of Magic, then.”
“Prat.”
“Wanker.”
“Incorrect password!” The fat lady on the tapestry covering the entrance to the Gryffindor tower howls, making the two second years jump and eventually laughing their asses off. The lady’s voice was louder than usual, they figured because Soonyoung had said a foul word. They’re lucky there were no prefects around, that would have cost the house a few points.
Wonwoo apologizes, Soonyoung still snickering beside him. “Whippersnapper.”
Upon entering, they find Mingyu and Seungcheol in the common room, seeming to have been waiting for them. “Done with Humberston?” Seungcheol asks and Wonwoo nods, claiming a spot on the couch. Soonyoung tells him he already went last Wednesday, completely ignoring Mingyu’s queries as to why he was with Wonwoo.
Wonwoo expected him to answer because he obviously wanted to know, too. “I was looking for Nova, actually.” Soonyoung says pointedly as he slumps next to him.
“Nora.” Wonwoo corrects him.
“Right.”
“The complete knob can’t even remember the people he snogs! Brilliant.” Mingyu shakes his head as Seungcheol laughs.
“We’re not snogging,” A moment of silence, a smirk playing across his lips. A Soonyoung Kwon-branded smirk that Wonwoo knows all too well. “Yet.”
“Dickhead.” Seungcheol groaned before excusing himself and making his way upstairs to their shared bedroom. Mingyu followed suit, asking to be called down when Wonwoo and Soonyoung decide to get dinner.
“You’re just jealous because Louise still won’t go out with you!”
Once Soonyoung’s laughs had died down, and Wonwoo was grateful no one popped out to silence them just yet, Soonyoung turns to him. Wonwoo then made it a challenge to stare at the empty fireplace until his retinas burned.
It was difficult to look at Soonyoung Kwon. Not when Wonwoo already knew the guy was already sporting that cheeky smile of his.
“Excited for summer, Wonwoo?”
He shrugs. Wonwoo doesn’t really do much during the summer. It has always been him and his mom, and they’re not exactly festive people. Wonwoo figures Soonyoung brought this up because he’s celebrating his birthday in a few weeks. Soonyoung, Seungcheol, and Mingyu have made it clear how annoyed they are over the course of the entire year of Wonwoo’s birth being in the middle of summer, and that they can’t spend it together or even celebrate it late like how they do Seungcheol’s.
Since their first year, the guy has refused to start the first week without a party to celebrate a new term and of course, his birthday. The one they held this year was bigger than the first and Wonwoo knew it was just gonna get louder annually, adding the fact that it’s the same case with Soonyoung and Mingyu’s birthdays. There are still five years to go, he thought he might as well master silencing spells, or figure out how to get his hands on an invisibility cloak for easier avoidance of any sort of interaction.
Of course, that is unless the three stop looking for him every single time he’s out of sight. Otherwise, he really can’t do much about it.
Seungcheol then went and planned ahead for them to celebrate it with him this year, and it involved the three spending the summer at the Chois’. He assured them that his parents didn’t mind anyway, and that they are always welcome. Wonwoo told them how much he appreciates the idea, but followed by saying that they didn’t have to go through all that, and promised to write them as many letters as they want. Mingyu retorted that that simply was not enough, and sending him another strawberry cake this year through owlpost is a risk he’s no longer willing to take.
It would have been fine for Wonwoo, though. He relished the idea of spending the summer at Seungcheol’s together with his best mates. But he doesn’t know how his mother would react to him being away for an entire summer after already not being able to see him every time the school year starts. He knows she wouldn’t mind, but he does.
“I still haven’t finished the books you sent me last year, so I guess it will be a tad bit exciting.” He laughed. “Plus, we got summer reading.”
Soonyoung hums, turning to also look at the fireplace. Anyone walking in and witnessing the two on the couch would think it was the most interesting thing in the world. “You and your books,”
Wonwoo just smiles, “Me and my books indeed.”
“We can visit you, you know? Although, I reckon that wouldn’t stray you away from your exciting plans.”
“Next time. I promise.” He gives Soonyoung a small nudge. Wonwoo hasn’t got the slightest idea when that next time is, but that’s that.
“Okay, mate. Whatever you say.” Soonyoung stifles a yawn and stands up. “Fancy a nosh? I’m craving minced pie, and if I don’t get that in my stomach before we leave tomorrow, I am going mad.”
“I’ll go and get Mingyu.”
They talked about Quidditch along the way. Though, it was mostly Mingyu and Soonyoung doing the talking (and exaggerated sound effects that echoed through the empty halls that only they could understand) since Wonwoo still can’t grasp the concept too much. So he promised himself to properly learn every nook and cranny about the sport over the break for the sake of his friends who seem to all be obsessed with it at this point. Soonyoung was mentioning something about the team called the Holyhead Harpies when they came across a Slytherin second year taunting a Gryffindor first year.
“Oi, stop pestering them, Cribbe.” Soonyoung tutted as the three walked through the corridor, leading them to the great hall. Wonwoo expected it to be Caroline before he raised his head, only then realizing he was staring at his feet again as they walked.
Turns out it was the twin with a less pleasant personality. Soonyoung stopped momentarily, his stance making him seem taller than the boy he’s facing when really, the latter’s twice as large as he was.
Wonwoo had never really talked to the guy, not that he wanted to anyway. Besides the sorting ceremony the year prior, he only ever sees Cribbe during the classes they take with Slytherin. Size-wise and the fact that Wonwoo was associated with Soonyoung Kwon, he makes an effort to avoid Carson as much as he can, especially when he’s alone. He knows he isn’t the brightest, but considering how their bloodline is, he might just have a few jinxes up his sleeve that would ultimately send Wonwoo to the infirmary.
Carson Cribbe was born into a pure-blood family, getting sorted into Slytherin just like his twin sister. It would have been a shame to their entire noble ancestry if he was placed anywhere else, and Wonwoo swore he almost witness him throw a fit when the sorting hat started considering putting him in Hufflepuff. But getting placed into the house where most occupants were reeking of ambition, Wonwoo could already tell the boy had nothing to offer the moment he first saw him when they were 11, especially when compared to his sister. Caroline makes an impression on others, regardless of how mean she can be at times, because even Wonwoo can’t deny how excellent of a witch she is. Carson, on the other hand, is recognized because of how he thinks he’s better than everyone else. A year later, Wonwoo’s thoughts about Carson remain the same. He presumes that’ll be the case for a long time.
“Fancy seeing you here, Kwon.” Cribbe tried his best to show Soonyoung a smug smile, earning no reaction. If Cribbe was disappointed, he didn’t show it. But with the way his face was contorting, Wonwoo already knew.
“Well. Congratulations on remembering I go here, Cribbe. Mingyu and Wonwoo do as well.” Soonyoung stated. Mingyu, being the bloody tall guy that he is, loomed over Soonyoung’s shoulder, wand at the ready just in case. Wonwoo couldn’t have done the same as he prefers getting shielded from Cribbe’s sight more.
“Listen here you—”
“Save your woes for your own mother,” Soonyoung shows the Gryffindor first year—whom Cribbe was taunting a while ago—a gesture to leave and they immediately oblige. He then raises a suggestive eyebrow at Carson, along with his sarcastic smile. “See you at dinner, perhaps. If not, enjoy the summer, Cribbe! And say hello to your sister for me!”
Wonwoo, Soonyoung, and Mingyu then made it a point to walk faster in the most subtle manner towards the great hall. Wonwoo did so because he’s afraid Cribbe might throw them some hexes, and Soonyoung because he simply doesn’t wanna get caught by any of the prefects.
“Last day of term and you’re already pushing your luck for next year, you nutter.” Mingyu muttered, sporting an amused smile.
“Which is why we ought to keep walking, Mingyu. Come on, now!” Soonyoung beamed at him.
At 11 years old, Wonwoo Jeon has already marveled at a boy named Soonyoung. Unlike him, Soonyoung had time (and courage) to face people twice his size. Unlike him, Soonyoung can do excellent things without even trying. Not because he was a pureblood, and not because he’s a try-hard. It all came naturally.
Perhaps that’s what prompted his interest in him in the first place. Perhaps that’s why he tends to gravitate towards the boy despite hating his guts the moment they met. Wonwoo doesn’t really know Soonyoung’s side of reason, but he won’t mind. Because even years from now, these thoughts will never falter and would most likely stay the same.