Chapter 3
First Day of School
The greenish glow from the enchanted Morningstar Vines clinging to the ceiling of the Slytherin dormitory began to brighten, signaling the start of a new day. These magical plants, which only bloomed in the morning, mimicked the sun’s warmth, gently waking the students in their dormitory beneath the Black Lake. Qing Yi stirred, his emerald eyes fluttering open to the soft, greenish light filtering through the hanging velvet curtains of his four-poster bed. Excitement tingled through him as he remembered: today was his first day of classes at Hogwarts.
He dressed quickly, the cool air of the underground chamber raising goosebumps on his skin as he pulled on his new Slytherin robes. With a final glance in the mirror to smooth his silver hair, Qing Yi grabbed his bag and set off for his first class: Introduction to Divination.
As he navigated the labyrinthine corridors of Hogwarts, still marveling at the moving portraits and shifting staircases, a commotion caught his attention. Rounding a corner, Qing Yi spotted a familiar face – Nie Huaisang, his fellow Slytherin first-year and dormmate – backed against a wall. Three older students in Slytherin robes surrounded him, with one particularly smug-looking boy at the center.
The ringleader, a second-year Slytherin named Wen Chao, though unknown to Qing Yi at this moment, sneered at Nie Huaisang. "Well, well, if it isn't the little Nie," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Thought you could hide behind your brother's reputation, did you?"
Without hesitation, Qing Yi stepped forward, his voice ringing clear in the hallway. "Hey! Leave him alone!"
Wen Chao turned, his eyes narrowing as he took in the newcomer. "Oh, how adorable. Another first-year trying to play hero. Don't you know your place, little snake?"
Qing Yi's emerald eyes flashed defiantly. "My place? I know it well enough. It's right here, standing up to bullies who think they're tough picking on someone smaller."
"How dare you!" the older boy sputtered, his face reddening. "Do you have any idea who I am? Who my father is?"
A sly grin spread across Qing Yi's face. "Why? Did your mother not tell you? That must be awkward."
Meanwhile, Ming Zhe was on his way to class when he heard raised voices around the corner. Curiosity piqued, he approached quietly, peeking around to observe the confrontation.
A ripple of laughter echoed through the hallway, even Nie Huaisang letting out a nervous chuckle. Wen Chao’s face contorted with rage as he whipped out his wand, pointing it directly at Qing Yi's face.
"You'll regret that, you insolent little—"
"Oh look," Qing Yi interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The mighty wizard couldn't win with wits, so he's resorting to magic. How original."
Nie Huaisang, ever the peacemaker, stepped between them, hands raised. "Come on, guys. Let's not do anything we'll regret. It's just a misunderstanding, right?"
But the older Slytherin was beyond reason. "Out of my way, Nie! I can't let this go. This brat needs to learn some respect. Maybe a pig's snout would improve his looks!"
Ming Zhe considered stepping in, but before he could move, Qing Yi acted. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, his forehead connecting solidly with the older boy's nose. There was a sickening crunch, and Wen Chao stumbled backward, howling in pain.His wand clattered to the floor, forgotten in his shock.
Blood gushed from Wen Chao’s nose, staining his pristine Slytherin robes. His eyes watered involuntarily, and he raised his hands to his face, fingers trembling as they hovered over his broken nose. The pain was clearly excruciating; Wen Chao's face contorted in a mix of agony and shock, his usual arrogant demeanor shattered along with his nose.
Ming Zhe's eyes widened at the sudden turn of events, torn between intervening and observing how the situation would unfold.
"Wen Chao!" his cronies cried, rushing to his side. "Are you okay?"
Taking advantage of the chaos, Qing Yi scooped up the dropped wand. With a decisive snap, he broke it in two, tossing the pieces at Wen Chao's feet.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Qing Yi taunted, grabbing Nie Huaisang's arm and pulling him away.
As they hurried down the corridor, Wen Chao's voice echoed behind them, thick with pain and rage, "My father will hear about this! You'll pay for this, you hear me?!" His words were slightly muffled and nasal, evidence of his newly broken nose.
Ming Zhe, still hidden around the corner, watched the first-years disappear down the hallway, a smirk playing across his features. His eyes gleamed with amusement. The young silver-haired Slytherin had just proven he wasn't an easy target.
"Interesting," Ming Zhe murmured. He decided to approach the scene of the incident.
As Ming Zhe rounded the corner, Wen Chao's lackeys spotted him first. Their eyes widened, and one muttered, "Ah crap..."
Wen Chao, still nursing his bloody nose, looked up. His eyes narrowed when he saw Ming Zhe, a mix of pain and animosity in his gaze.
Ming Zhe's smirk widened as he surveyed the scene. "Well, well. What happened here, Wen Chao? Bit off more than you could chew?"
Without waiting for a response, Ming Zhe pulled out his wand and pointed it at Wen Chao's face. "Episkey," he said casually.
Wen Chao winced as his nose made a soft cracking sound, realigning itself. The bleeding stopped, and the swelling began to subside. Despite the relief, Wen Chao's eyes remained narrow, filled with animosity towards Ming Zhe.
He stood up, straightening his robes with an exaggerated flourish. "None of your business, Huang," Wen Chao spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "Why don't you scurry back to your precious prefect duties? I'm sure there's a first-year somewhere in desperate need of directions to the loo."
Wen Chao jerked his head at his lackeys, and they began to move away, shooting nervous glances at Ming Zhe as they passed.
Ming Zhe's smirk never faltered. As they walked away, he called out, "Oh, and Wen? Do try to keep your nose clean... in all senses of the phrase. We wouldn't want any more... unfortunate incidents, would we?"
Wen Chao's back stiffened, but he didn't turn around. He and his cronies disappeared around the corner, leaving Ming Zhe alone in the corridor, an amused glint still in his eyes.
****
Meanwhile, Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang had hurried away from the scene, putting as much distance between themselves and Wen Chao as possible. As they turned a corner, Nie Huaisang finally spoke, his voice a mix of awe and worry.
"Merlin's beard, Qing Yi! That was... that was incredible! But also terrifying. Thanks for stepping in, though."
Qing Yi grinned, adrenaline still coursing through him. "Don't mention it. I can't stand bullies like that. Someone needed to take him down a peg."
Nie Huaisang's smile faltered slightly. "Yeah, but... I think we might be in even bigger trouble now. That was Wen Chao. His father isn't just any ministry official. He's the Secretary of Magic. If he sees his son like this..."
The gravity of the situation suddenly hit Qing Yi, his eyes widening in realization. "Oh... oh boy. I didn't know who he was. I just saw him bullying you and... well, I couldn't just stand there."
"Don't worry too much," Nie Huaisang reassured him, though his voice trembled slightly. "I'll back you up. I'll tell them you were protecting me. Professor McGonagall is fair; she won't let anything bad happen to you if she knows you were just defending someone."
Qing Yi nodded, trying to push down the worry gnawing at his stomach. "Right. Yeah. It'll be fine. We should... we should probably get to class."
As they hurried towards the Divination classroom, Qing Yi couldn't help but wonder if he'd just made his Hogwarts experience a lot more complicated than he'd bargained for. But as he glanced at Nie Huaisang's grateful face, he knew he'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. After all, that's what friends were for, right?
The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the classroom, casting a warm glow on the eclectic assortment of oddities scattered around the room—crystal balls, dream catchers, and an overwhelming number of incense burners that filled the air with a heady scent. Professor Sybill Trelawney, with her large glasses perched on the tip of her nose and layers of shawls draped over her, floated around the classroom like a mystical ghost, her eyes darting between students with an air of anxious anticipation.
Suddenly, the door to the classroom burst open, causing several students to jump in their seats. Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang stumbled in, panting heavily, their robes askew.
Professor Trelawney turned slowly, her eyes magnified to comical proportions behind her thick glasses. "Ah," she said in her misty, far-away voice, "Mr. Koh and Mr. Nie. I foresaw your arrival."
Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang exchanged skeptical glances. "Sorry we're late, Professor," Qing Yi began, but Trelawney held up a bejeweled hand.
"No need for explanations, dear boy. The Inner Eye sees all. Although," she paused, peering closely at Qing Yi, "I sense a disturbance in your aura. A recent confrontation, perhaps?"
Qing Yi's eyes widened in surprise. How could she know?
"Now, now," Trelawney continued, gesturing to two empty seats, "do sit down. We were just about to delve into the mystical art of tea leaf reading."
As they made their way to their seats, Nie Huaisang leaned in and whispered, "Do you think she really knows about Wen Chao?"
Qing Yi shrugged, still unnerved. "Let's hope not. The last thing we need is for her to predict our expulsion."
They settled into their seats, the heavy scent of incense making their heads swim. Qing Yi tried to focus on Trelawney's lecture, but his mind kept wandering back to the confrontation with Wen Chao. What if he did get expelled? What would his parents say?
As Professor Trelawney launched into a passionate lecture about tea leaf reading, her voice drifting like the incense in the room, Nie Huaisang couldn’t help it—his head slowly bobbed forward, and within moments, he was nodding off.
Suddenly, a piercing shriek cut through the air. Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang jumped, the latter nearly falling out of his chair.
"Mr. Nie!" Professor Trelawney exclaimed, her enormous eyes even wider than usual. "Your slumber disrupts the delicate aura of divination! The pulsing energy of the beyond cannot penetrate a sleeping mind!"
Nie Huaisang blinked owlishly, his face flushing red. "S-sorry, Professor. I was just, um, meditating?"
A few students giggled, quickly stifling their laughter under Trelawney's disapproving gaze.
"You must pay attention," Trelawney insisted, her voice taking on an ominous tone. "The signs are all around us, waiting to be interpreted. Ignore them at your peril!"
Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang sat up straighter, exchanging worried glances. As Trelawney turned back to the blackboard, Qing Yi couldn't help but wonder if her warnings were just theatrical nonsense... or if she really did see something in their future.
"Now," Professor Trelawney announced, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper, "we shall move on to crystal gazing, a most crucial skill in the art of divination."
Qing Yi perked up, his earlier worries momentarily forgotten. Crystal gazing? Maybe I can see if I'll be expelled for breaking Wen Chao's nose, he thought, a mix of hope and dread swirling in his stomach.
With a wave of her wand, Trelawney summoned crystal balls to each student's desk. They arrived with soft thuds, the glass orbs gleaming in the dim, incense-filled room.
"Gaze into the Orb," Trelawney intoned, her voice taking on an almost hypnotic quality. "Allow your Inner Eye to open. What do you see?"
Qing Yi leaned forward, staring intently into his crystal ball. At first, all he saw was his own reflection, distorted by the curved glass. Then, slowly, a wisp of white smoke began to swirl within the orb.
Professor Trelawney, who had been drifting between the desks, suddenly rushed over, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Fascinating! Simply fascinating!" she exclaimed, startling nearby students. "Tell me, Mr. Koh, what do you see?"
Qing Yi exchanged a confused look with Nie Huaisang before turning back to the ball. "Uh... I see... smoke?"
"Yes, yes! And?" Trelawney pressed, leaning in so close that Qing Yi could smell the sherry on her breath.
Qing Yi furrowed his brow, squinting at the swirling mist. Good lord, is she high on incense? he thought. Out loud, he said, "It's... white?"
The class erupted in giggles. Professor Trelawney's excitement deflated like a punctured balloon.
"My dear," she said solemnly, straightening up and adjusting her shawl, "you may be young, but I'm afraid you have the smallest aura of clairvoyance I have ever encountered."
Qing Yi felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment and indignation. How dare she! he thought. I'll show her!
As Trelawney moved on to the next student, Qing Yi glared into his crystal ball with renewed determination.
Professor Trelawney drifted over to Lan Wangji's table. Her excitement returned instantly, her bangles jingling as she clasped her hands together.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed, her eyes growing even larger behind her thick glasses. "Mr. Lan, there's a strong aura of the Beyond surrounding you! Please, share with the class what you see!"
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Lan Wangji. He sat perfectly still, his golden eyes fixed on the swirling mists within his crystal ball. After a moment, his calm voice carried across the room.
"A silver doe, walking through a moonlit forest clearing. It pauses, looking back over its shoulder as if waiting for someone to follow."
A collective gasp rippled through the classroom. Professor Trelawney looked as if she might faint from sheer delight.
"Marvelous, Mr. Lan! Simply marvelous!" she breathed. "But pray tell, what do you think this vision means?"
Lan Wangji's brow furrowed slightly in concentration. "The silver doe represents purity and intuition. Its presence in a moonlit forest suggests hidden knowledge or secrets coming to light. The fact that it looks back could indicate guidance or a call to follow one's instincts."
Professor Trelawney clapped her hands together, beaming. "Excellent interpretation, Mr. Lan! Ten points to Ravenclaw for such a clear Inner Eye! Class, take note - this is the level of insight we're striving for!"
Qing Yi watched in awe, feeling a mix of admiration and intimidation. The other students murmured impressed comments, some trying to peer into Lan Wangji's crystal ball as if they might catch a glimpse of the silver doe themselves.
"How does he do that?" Nie Huaisang whispered, echoing Qing Yi's thoughts.
Qing Yi shook his head, determination gleaming in his eyes. "I don't know, but I'm going to figure it out." He spent the rest of the class staring intently into his crystal ball, willing it to reveal its secrets, all the while sneaking glances at Lan Wangji, trying to discern the secret to his success.
After praising Lan Wangji's impressive interpretation, Professor Trelawney drifted across the room, her eyes scanning for the next student to evaluate. Her gaze settled on Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, who were huddled over their crystal ball, barely containing their snickers.
"And what do we have here?" Trelawney inquired, her bangles jingling as she leaned in.
Wei Wuxian straightened up, his eyes widening with genuine surprise. "Professor, I see something! There's a large bird... a phoenix, I think!"
Trelawney's eyes lit up. "Go on, dear boy! What is the phoenix doing?"
"It's rising from a pile of ashes," Wei Wuxian described, his voice filled with excitement. "Its wings are spread wide, and there's a golden glow all around it."
Trelawney nodded vigorously, clearly impressed. "Excellent vision, Mr. Wei! Now, what do you think it means?"
Wei Wuxian grinned confidently. "Well, it's obvious, isn't it? We're going to have roast chicken for dinner tonight!"
The class erupted in laughter. Trelawney's expression dropped from excitement to exasperation in an instant.
"Mr. Wei," she said, shaking her head, "while your Sight is surprisingly clear, your interpretation leaves much to be desired. A phoenix rising from the ashes symbolizes rebirth, renewal, or overcoming great adversity. It most certainly does not predict our dinner menu."
Wei Wuxian's grin didn't falter. "Are you sure, Professor? Because I'm feeling pretty hungry right now."
Trelawney sighed heavily. "Mr. Jiang, perhaps you can offer a more... serious approach?"
Jiang Cheng gulped and peered into the crystal ball. After a moment, he spoke hesitantly. "I see... a tree. A big tree with lots of branches."
Trelawney nodded encouragingly. "And what do you think it means?"
Jiang Cheng's brow furrowed in concentration. "It means... um... that I should... branch out more in my studies?"
Wei Wuxian snorted, quickly turning it into an unconvincing cough.
Trelawney sighed again. "Mr. Jiang, while I appreciate your attempt to relate your vision to your academic life, I'm afraid you've missed the mark entirely. A tree with many branches often symbolizes family connections or a complex decision ahead."
She turned to address the class. "Remember, students, the art of divination requires both accurate vision and correct interpretation. Mr. Wei has a surprisingly clear Sight but lacks interpretive skills, while Mr. Jiang struggles with both. Strive for a balance between the two."
As Trelawney moved on, Wei Wuxian leaned over to Jiang Cheng. "Branch out in your studies?" he whispered, grinning. "That was brilliant!"
Jiang Cheng elbowed him. "Shut up. At least I didn't try to predict the dinner menu from a phoenix vision."
"Hey, it could happen!" Wei Wuxian protested. "Maybe the house-elves are feeling particularly inspired today."
They both dissolved into quiet laughter, trying to avoid Trelawney's disapproving gaze as they attempted to 'see' into their crystal ball once more.
After what felt like an eternity of staring into the swirling depths of his crystal ball, trying to decipher even the vaguest hint of the future, Qing Yi let out a quiet sigh of relief as Professor Trelawney finally dismissed the class. His eyes were still unfocused from the intense concentration, and he felt as though the entire morning had passed in a foggy blur.
Nie Huaisang, who had spent half the class trying not to doze off, nudged Qing Yi gently as they left the classroom. "That was... something," Huaisang muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I’m not sure how anyone’s supposed to see anything in those crystal balls."
Wei Wuxian, who had been walking alongside Jiang Cheng, overheard and grinned widely. "I know, right? It’s like trying to predict the weather by staring at a puddle. Total nonsense!"
Jiang Cheng smirked, shaking his head. "And yet somehow, some people manage to see things. Lan Wangji didn’t even break a sweat."
As they descended the spiral staircase, Qing Yi finally spoke up, his voice slightly hoarse. "Is anyone else seeing smoke everywhere, or is it just me?"
The other three burst into laughter. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Qing Yi!" Wei Wuxian said, slapping him on the back. "We thought we'd lost you to the mystical realm of crystal gazing!"
As they emerged into a long, sunlit corridor flanked by towering arched windows, Nie Huaisang suddenly dashed to the railing. "Hey, look!" he exclaimed, pointing towards the distant Quidditch pitch. "There's a practice match going on!"
Sure enough, green and blue blurs were zooming across the sky, the unmistakable sight of a Quidditch scrimmage between Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
Qing Yi's eyes widened as he recognized one of the players. "Is that... Senior Huang?" he exclaimed, pointing at a green-robed figure wielding a Beater's bat.
Nie Huaisang nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yeah, that's Ming Zhe. He's our Slytherin Beater, and a pretty good one too. I heard he once knocked three Gryffindor players off their brooms in a single game!"
Wei Wuxian scoffed playfully. "Oh please, I bet they just fell off from the sheer intimidation of facing Slytherin's infamous glares."
Jiang Cheng elbowed him. "You wish. More like they were laughing too hard at Slytherin's attempts to play fair."
"And look over there!" Wei Wuxian added excitedly, his previous teasing forgotten as he gestured towards a blue-robed player gracefully maneuvering his broom. "That's Xichen ge-ge! Lan Wangji's older brother!"
Jiang Cheng whistled appreciatively. "Man, he's good. Look at how he handles that broom! It's like he's dancing in the air."
Qing Yi nodded, remembering. That's Jing Shi's friend, isn't it? The one who came over at the train station?
Nie Huaisang chimed in, "Lan Xichen, Ravenclaw's star Beater. They say he's never missed a Bludger."
"Looks like we've got quite a match on our hands," Wei Wuxian grinned, his eyes darting between Ming Zhe and Lan Xichen. "Slytherin's brute force versus Ravenclaw's precision. This should be interesting!"
No sooner had the words left Wei Wuxian's mouth, Ming Zhe, seizing an opportunity, suddenly swerved towards Lan Xichen, his bat raised. The Ravenclaw Beater expertly dodged the incoming Bludger, executing a perfect barrel roll.
"Whoa! Watch it, Xichen-Ge!" Wei Wuxian shouted, even though the players couldn't possibly hear him.
Jiang Cheng shook his head, frowning slightly. "That's Slytherin for you. Always playing dirty."
Nie Huaisang's head snapped up. "Hey! That's not true. We don't always play like that... right, Qing Yi?"
Put on the spot, Qing Yi shrugged. "I haven't really watched Slytherin play yet, but... I'm sure it's just about winning in the end, right?"
Wei Wuxian chuckled and shook his head, leaning in playfully. “Sounds like something a Slytherin would say!”
Jiang Cheng smirked and added, “You know, there’s a difference between playing to win and playing dirty.”
"Says the lion who'd probably try to ride the Bludger if he thought it'd win him the game," Qing Yi retorted, surprising himself with his quick comeback.
The group burst into laughter, their house rivalries momentarily forgotten in the joy of friendly banter.
"You know," Nie Huaisang mused, "maybe we should all try out for our house teams next year. It looks like fun!"
Wei Wuxian's eyes lit up. "Now that's the best idea I've heard all day! Just imagine, the four of us, soaring through the sky, battling it out for the Quidditch Cup!"
As the two Beaters showcased their skills, a chorus of excited squeals erupted from a group of female students nearby. The girls were practically swooning, their eyes following every movement of Lan Xichen and Ming Zhe with adoring gazes.
Wei Wuxian nudged Jiang Cheng, snickering. "Look at that! I think those girls might actually faint if either of them winks in their direction."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "I'm surprised they haven't started throwing their robes at them yet."
Nie Huaisang chimed in, his voice a mix of amusement and envy. "Do you think if I joined the Quidditch team, I'd get that kind of attention too?"
"Only if you can stay on your broom for more than five seconds," Wei Wuxian teased, earning a playful shove from Nie Huaisang.
Qing Yi, watching the spectacle with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, shook his head. "Well, I'm glad I got to keep my male gender," he deadpanned. "Otherwise, I might be out there making a fool of myself too."
Wei Wuxian burst into laughter. "Oh come on, Qing Yi! Don't tell me you're not even a little bit tempted to join the Lan Xichen Fan Club? I hear they're giving out badges!"
"I'll pass," Qing Yi retorted dryly. "I prefer my dignity intact, thank you very much."
As if to punctuate Qing Yi's statement, a particularly loud cheer went up as Lan Xichen performed another impressive maneuver, causing one girl to dramatically fan herself with her hand.
"You know," Jiang Cheng mused, "I'm starting to think Quidditch is as much about the players as it is about the game."
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Wei Wuxian grinned, throwing an arm around Qing Yi and Nie Huaisang. "Where the real sport is watching everyone lose their minds over a couple of guys on broomsticks!"
As they continued to watch the practice match unfold, their amusement a stark contrast to the swooning girls nearby, Qing Yi felt a warmth spreading through his chest. Despite the craziness of the day - from confrontations with Wen Chao to baffling Divination lessons - he realized he was exactly where he wanted to be. Hogwarts, with all its mysteries and challenges, was starting to feel like home.
****
That evening, the Slytherin dormitory was buzzing with excitement. The long-anticipated Quidditch match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw was about to begin, and the air was electric with anticipation. As the other students hurried to get ready, Nie Huaisang was in full gear, sporting his green and silver Slytherin jersey with pride. He had even gone as far as painting the Slytherin crest on his cheek, his enthusiasm practically radiating off him.
He bounced into the dorm room, waving a small Slytherin flag excitedly. "Qing Yi! What are you doing? The match is about to start!" he urged, his voice brimming with excitement.
Qing Yi, however, was seated at his desk, his nose buried in "Unfogging the Future: A Beginner's Guide to Crystal Gazing." His eyes were fixed on the pages, his brow furrowed in concentration as he meticulously studied the section on crystal ball reading.
Without looking up, Qing Yi mumbled, "I’m not going. I’m trying to decipher whether this smudge in my crystal ball is my future or just my reflection."
Nie Huaisang bounced on his heels. "Come on! You can stare at your own face anytime. This is Slytherin versus Ravenclaw!"
"Fascinating," Qing Yi deadpanned, flipping a page. "I'll be sure to ask my crystal ball for a play-by-play later."
"You're really not coming?" Nie Huaisang's face fell. "But it's going to be epic! Ming Zhe and Lan Xichen are playing—it’s the talk of the whole school!”
Qing Yi finally looked up, raising an eyebrow at Nie Huaisang's face paint. "I see you're taking 'team spirit' literally. Did you lose a bet with a paint bucket?"
Nie Huaisang grinned, undeterred. "It's called dedication! Are you sure you won't come? We could paint a crystal ball on your forehead. Maybe it'll help with your divination skills."
Qing Yi snorted, shaking his head. "Pass. I'd rather not give Trelawney more material for her daily dose of doom and gloom. She'd probably see me in the stands and predict I'll be impaled by a runaway broomstick."
Nie Huaisang sighed dramatically. "Fine, be boring. But when I come back with tales of our glorious victory, don't complain that your crystal ball didn't show you the highlights."
As Nie Huaisang turned to leave, Qing Yi called out, "Hey, Huaisang?"
"Yeah?"
"If you see a Bludger coming your way, duck. That's my divination for you."
Nie Huaisang laughed. "Thanks, O Wise One. I'll be sure to credit you if it saves my life."
With a final wave, Nie Huaisang left, leaving Qing Yi alone with his books and crystal ball. Qing Yi's eyes narrowed with determination. "Alright, you glorified snow globe," he muttered to the crystal ball. "Time to spill your secrets. I'll show Trelawney who's got the 'smallest aura of clairvoyance' she's ever seen."
The distant roar of the crowd echoed through the castle, Qing Yi bent over his crystal ball, ready to unravel the mysteries of divination – or at least convince himself he wasn't just staring at his own distorted reflection for hours on end.
As the moon climbed high over Hogwarts, Qing Yi finally tore his eyes away from his crystal ball, a triumphant grin on his face. "I've got it," he mumbled to himself, rubbing his bleary eyes. "Trelawney won't know what hit her."
Glancing at the clock, Qing Yi stretched and stood up. "I suppose I could catch the end of the match," he mused. "Might as well see our team crush Ravenclaw."
But as he pushed open the door to the Slytherin common room, he was met with a wave of returning students, their faces long and shoulders slumped. Qing Yi blinked in confusion, the excitement draining from his face.
"Wait, is it... over?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he scanned the crowd of dejected Slytherins.
Spotting Nie Huaisang in the crowd, Qing Yi called out, "Hey, Huaisang! What happened? Did we—"
Huaisang turned, his face paint smeared and his expression dejected. "We lost," he said before Qing Yi could finish.
"Oh no..." Qing Yi winced. "How bad was it?"
"It was so close!" Huaisang wailed dramatically. "We could've won if Zhang Lei hadn't accidentally whacked himself with his own Bludger. Who knew trying to hex it mid-air would backfire so spectacularly?"
Qing Yi patted Huaisang's shoulder awkwardly. "There, there. There's always next time, right?"
Huaisang shook his head mournfully. "The championship game is in two days. Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor. If Ravenclaw wins again, they might take the House Cup too."
"Hey, don't worry," Qing Yi said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "We'll just have to rack up points elsewhere. In fact, I'm about to become Trelawney's star pupil. By this time tomorrow, I'll be predicting the future so accurately, they'll have to rename Divination class after me."
()()()()()