Chapter 10
The Fire Crabs
The Saturday morning of the Quidditch championship dawned bright and clear over Hogwarts. The castle buzzed with excitement, but Qing Yi remained blissfully oblivious, cocooned in his bed in the Slytherin dormitory. His peaceful slumber was suddenly shattered by an excited voice and a persistent poking at his side.
"Qing Yi! Wake up, you sleepy snake!" Nie Huaisang's voice pierced through Qing Yi's dreams like a Sonorus charm. "The Quidditch final is in a couple of hours! Don't you want to watch Gryffindor crush Ravenclaw?"
Qing Yi responded by rolling over and pulling his blanket over his head, creating a makeshift fortress against the morning and Nie Huaisang's enthusiasm. In the darkness of his blanket cocoon, Qing Yi's mind conjured an unbidden image of Lan Xichen in his Quidditch robes, looking unfairly handsome as he soared through the air. He groaned softly, trying to banish the thought.
Undeterred, Nie Huaisang continued his assault on Qing Yi's lie-in. "Come on! Wen Ning and I are going. It'll be fun! My brother's playing, and we can cheer for Gryffindor together!" He paused, then added with a mischievous tone, "Unless you're secretly rooting for Ravenclaw, hmm?"
Qing Yi's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ravenclaw, but he quickly squashed the feeling. From beneath the blanket came a muffled voice, thick with sleep and a hint of exasperation.
"I'll pass. You go ahead. Let me know how it went... preferably after lunch."
Nie Huaisang's face fell, his lips forming an exaggerated pout that would have put a sad crup puppy to shame.
"Aw, come on! Last time you didn't want to go because you were 'perfecting your crystal ball reading.' What's your excuse now? Did your tea leaves tell you to stay in bed all day?"
Qing Yi hugged his pillow even tighter, his voice muffled and tinged with sadness as he mumbled, "A broken heart."
Nie Huaisang leaned in, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What? A croaking tart? Did you eat something weird from the kitchens again? I told you those color-changing pastries were suspicious!"
With a groan that seemed to come from the depths of his very soul, Qing Yi buried his face deeper into his pillow, his words coming out in a frustrated rush. "No, I just... I don't like Lan Xichen, okay?"
Nie Huaisang's eyes bulged, and he nearly dropped his fan in shock. "Wait, what? Why? But everyone likes Lan Xichen! That's like saying you don't like... Chocolate Frogs or weekend Hogsmeade trips! Did he accidentally turn your homework into a porcupine or something?"
Qing Yi, now fully awake and regretting every life choice that led to this moment, rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. His mind raced, trying to find a way to explain his feelings without actually explaining his feelings. "No reason," he said, his voice a mixture of sarcasm and poorly concealed disappointment.
"I just hate how perfect he is. His hair is always immaculate, he never misses a spell, and..." he sighed heavily, his heart clenching as he forced out the words, "I hate how he's so popular with all the girls."
In his mind, Qing Yi could see Lan Xichen surrounded by a crowd of adoring fans, his gentle smile lighting up the room. The image made his chest ache with a mixture of longing and jealousy he wasn't quite ready to confront.
Nie Huaisang's eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into his hairline, a mischievous grin spreading across his face like a Cheshire cat.
"Oh ho! I see what this is about!" He leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. "You're jealous because Lan Xichen is hogging all the attention from the ladies, aren't you? Worried you can't compete with Mr. Perfect Hair and his army of swooning admirers?"
Qing Yi's eyes widened in horror at Nie Huaisang's completely wrong interpretation. He sat up abruptly, his blanket falling away as he fixed Nie Huaisang with a look that was equal parts exasperation and desperation.
"What? No! That's not— You've got it all wrong! It's not about the girls, it's—" He cut himself off, realizing he was dangerously close to revealing too much.
"Look," Qing Yi said, running a hand through his sleep-mussed hair, "I'm not going to the game, okay? You and Wen Ning have fun. If you need me, I'll be right here, sleeping my... croaking tart away." He flopped back down onto his bed, this time face-first into his pillow as if trying to smother his embarrassment and the truth threatening to spill out.
Nie Huaisang let out a dramatic sigh that could rival a deflating Quaffle, fanning himself vigorously. "Fine, you're about as fun as a History of Magic lecture right now. I'll see you later then. Try not to turn into an actual croaking tart while we're gone!"
As Nie Huaisang's footsteps faded away, Qing Yi lifted his head slightly, muttering into his pillow, "A croaking tart would be less complicated than this."
He rolled onto his back again, staring at the green canopy of his four-poster bed. His mind drifted back to Lan Xichen, imagining him preparing for the match, his face set in that determined expression that made Qing Yi's heart do somersaults. "Maybe I should transfigure myself into a croaking tart," he mused aloud. "At least then I'd have an excuse for making weird noises every time I see him."
Despite his best efforts, sleep eluded Qing Yi. After tossing and turning for what felt like hours, he finally admitted defeat and dragged himself out of bed. With a resigned sigh, he got dressed, pulling on a cozy sweater over his regular clothes to ward off the early autumn chill.
As Qing Yi made his way down to the Great Hall, the castle thrummed with excitement. The roar of the crowd from the Quidditch pitch was audible even through the thick stone walls, and the occasional cheer or groan echoed through the corridors. The announcer's magically amplified voice drifted in, proclaiming the imminent start of the championship game.
The Great Hall was nearly deserted, with only a handful of students scattered across the long tables. Qing Yi's footsteps echoed in the unusual quiet as he made his way to the Slytherin table. As he nibbled half-heartedly on a piece of toast, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Part of him desperately wanted to be at the match, to watch Lan Xichen soar through the air with his usual grace and skill.
But then his traitorous mind conjured up an all-too-vivid image: Jiang Yanli in the stands, her eyes shining with admiration as she cheered passionately for Lan Xichen. He imagined Lan Xichen spotting her, flashing that heart-stopping smile, and then swooping down on his broom to plant a kiss on her cheek before the entire school.
Qing Yi shook his head violently, as if trying to physically dislodge the thoughts. "Get a grip," he muttered to himself, pushing away his barely-touched breakfast. "Who needs all that noise and drama anyway?"
Determined to distract himself, Qing Yi decided a walk in the grounds would clear his head. He stepped out of the castle into the cool, misty morning. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves and damp soil. A light breeze ruffled his hair, and he took a deep breath, already feeling some of his tension melt away.
As he wandered towards Hagrid's hut, Qing Yi found himself appreciating the quiet beauty of the grounds. The trees around the edge of the Forbidden Forest were just beginning to change color, their leaves a vibrant palette of reds, oranges, and golds. Wisps of mist curled around his feet, giving the landscape an otherworldly quality.
"Who needs a noisy Quidditch match when you can have this?" Qing Yi mused aloud, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the entire scene. He closed his eyes, tilting his face up to feel the cool air on his skin. "This is so much better than watching Lan Xichen show off on his broom... not that he needs to show off, he's already per—" He cut himself off, frowning. "No, stop that. Enjoy the nature, Qing Yi."
Lost in his thoughts and the beauty of his surroundings, Qing Yi's feet carried him towards the Black Lake. The usually smooth surface of the water was ruffled by the breeze, small waves lapping gently at the shore. It was as he approached the lake that he first heard the commotion.
Shouts and yelps of panic drifted across the grounds, accompanied by strange scuttling noises and... was that the crackle of flames? Curiosity piqued, Qing Yi quickened his pace, his peaceful reverie forgotten as he approached the source of the chaos.
The scene that greeted him was nothing short of ridiculous. There, by the edge of the lake, were Wen Chao and his two lackeys, Ashford and Bignal. They were surrounded by what appeared to be a small army of fire crabs, their jeweled shells glinting ominously in the weak sunlight. Hagrid stood nearby, his massive form seeming oddly helpless in the face of the boys' ineptitude.
"No, no!" Hagrid was shouting, his voice a mix of exasperation and concern. "Yeh've got ter approach 'em from the side! Don't let 'em see yeh comin'!"
But his advice fell on deaf ears. Wen Chao was practically dancing in place, yelping every time a fire crab came near him. His usually impeccable hair was now singed and sticking up at odd angles, giving him the appearance of a very annoyed hedgehog. Ashford had somehow managed to back himself up against a tree, looking like he was seriously contemplating climbing it to escape. And poor Bignal...
"My scarf! My scarf's on fire!" Bignal wailed, frantically trying to unwrap the flaming accessory from around his neck.
Qing Yi couldn't help it. Despite his best efforts to maintain his composure, a snort of laughter escaped him. The sound drew the attention of the hapless trio, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze.
Wen Chao's eyes locked with Qing Yi's, and his expression darkened with a mixture of embarrassment and fury. The sight of Qing Yi witnessing his predicament seemed to intensify his anger, his face flushing red with a combination of exertion and rage.
"What are you doing here, Koh? Come to laugh at us, have you?" Wen Chao snapped, his voice cracking slightly as he narrowly avoided another burst of flames.
Before Qing Yi could respond, fate decided to intervene. A fire crab, apparently spooked by all the commotion, made a break for freedom. It scuttled rapidly towards Qing Yi, who was so engrossed in the unfolding drama that he didn't notice the approaching danger until it was too late.
"Watch out!" Hagrid bellowed.
Qing Yi looked down just in time to see the fire crab aim its rear end at his feet. With a yelp that he would later deny ever making, Qing Yi leaped backwards, narrowly avoiding a jet of flames. Unfortunately, his graceful evasion was ruined when he tripped over a hidden root and landed unceremoniously on his backside.
As he lay there, staring up at the cloudy sky and wondering if it was possible to die of embarrassment, a familiar bearded face appeared in his field of vision.
"You alright there, Qing Yi?" Hagrid asked, concern evident in his voice as he helped the boy to his feet.
Qing Yi nodded, brushing dirt off his robes and trying to salvage what remained of his dignity. "I'm fine, just—look out!"
The escaped fire crab, evidently not done with its reign of terror, had circled back and was now charging towards Hagrid's enormous boots. Without thinking, Qing Yi whipped out his wand and cast a quick "Immobulus!"
The fire crab froze mid-scuttle, its jeweled shell glinting in the weak sunlight.
Hagrid beamed at Qing Yi. "Well done! That's the way ter do it!" His smile quickly faded as he glanced back at Wen Chao and his lackeys, who were still struggling with the remaining fire crabs.
"Say, Qing Yi, yeh wouldn't mind givin' us a hand, would yeh? I'm about ready ter tear me hair out with this lot."
Qing Yi's eyes widened in horror. "Me? Help them?" He gestured towards Wen Chao, who was currently engaged in what appeared to be a rather undignified dance to avoid a fire crab's flames. "Hagrid, you can't be serious. I'd rather wrestle the Giant Squid!"
Hagrid chuckled, though there was a hint of desperation in his eyes. "Come on, now. Yer clearly good with charms. Just help us round 'em up, and then yeh can be on yer way. Please?" He leaned in, lowering his voice.
"Between you an' me, I think these boys might actually manage ter set the lake on fire if left ter their own devices."
Qing Yi glanced from Hagrid's pleading face to the chaos behind him. Ashford had somehow managed to tangle himself in a net meant for the fire crabs, while Bignal was frantically trying to extinguish his smoldering scarf. Wen Chao, for his part, looked like he was one mishap away from a complete meltdown.
With a heavy sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul, Qing Yi nodded. "Fine. But you owe me for this, Hagrid." His emerald eyes glinted with a mixture of resignation and cunning.
"I'm thinking... a supervised expedition into the Forbidden Forest. Just to the outer edges, mind you. I know there are some rare ingredients there that even my mother's extensive herbology collection lacks."
Hagrid's bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The Forbidden Forest? That's askin' a lot, Qing Yi. Yeh know it's off-limits ter students."
Qing Yi's lips curved into a small, persuasive smile. "Come on, Hagrid. You know I'm responsible. I'm not asking to go gallivanting off to meet the centaurs or anything. Just a short, supervised trip to gather a few rare specimens. Think of it as... an educational field trip."
Hagrid stroked his beard thoughtfully, clearly torn between his duty and his fondness for Qing Yi. "Well... I suppose a quick trip ter the edges wouldn't hurt. But yeh've got ter promise ter stay close and do exactly as I say."
"Deal," Qing Yi agreed quickly, trying not to look too eager. "Now, let's wrangle these fire crabs before they turn the whole lakeside into a scorched wasteland."
As Qing Yi reluctantly made his way towards the others, Wen Chao's scowl deepened. "Oh great, now we have to deal with him too?" he spat, barely dodging another jet of flames from a nearby fire crab.
Qing Yi rolled his eyes, "Believe me, Wen, I have better things to do with my Saturday than watch you fumble around with magical creatures. But since you're clearly in over your head, I'm here to help. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to continue your interpretive dance routine?"
Wen Chao's face flushed an interesting shade of red, clashing horribly with the soot stains on his cheeks. For a moment, it looked like he might argue, but another fire crab choosing that exact moment to shoot flames dangerously close to his ankles seemed to change his mind.
"Fine," he grumbled, eyeing Qing Yi warily. "What do you suggest, oh wise one?"
Qing Yi smirked, raising his wand. "First, we need to contain them. Watch and learn. Aguamenti Circulum!"
A ring of water encircled the nearest group of fire crabs, effectively trapping them. The creatures hissed and steamed as they tried to cross the water barrier.
"Now, quickly! While they're confused!" Qing Yi yelled, his voice sharp with urgency. "Wen Chao, use your wand, not your boot!"
For a moment, it seemed like they might actually get the upper hand. Ashford had managed to corral two fire crabs into a makeshift pen, while Bignal was attempting to lure another with what appeared to be a very singed sandwich. But then, because the universe clearly had a twisted sense of humor, everything went spectacularly wrong.
A giant tentacle emerged from the depths of the Black Lake, probably attracted by all the commotion—or perhaps Bignal's dubious culinary offering. It swept across the shore, scattering fire crabs in every direction and drenching everyone in freezing water. In the chaos, Qing Yi lost his footing and found himself being dragged into the lake alongside Wen Chao and his lackeys.
They surfaced, spluttering and gasping, only to find themselves surrounded by curious merpeople. As Qing Yi blinked the water from his eyes, a sudden memory from Professor Binns' History of Magic class flashed through his mind: "Beware the gaze of the siren-merpeople, for their eyes hold enchantments most perilous."
Acting on instinct, Qing Yi quickly averted his gaze, calling out to the others. "Don't look them in the eyes!"
Ashford and Bignal, surprisingly alert, immediately followed suit, squeezing their eyes shut or staring fixedly at the water's surface. But for Wen Chao, the warning came too late.
Emerging from the misty waters was a mermaid of otherworldly beauty. Unlike the more common grindylows or the merpeople typically found in the Black Lake, this creature was breathtaking. Her skin shimmered with an opalescent glow, tiny scales catching the weak sunlight like diamonds. Long, flowing hair the color of sea foam cascaded down her shoulders, adorned with delicate pearls and shimmering shells. Her eyes, large and almond-shaped, were a mesmerizing swirl of blue and green that seemed to contain the very essence of the ocean.
Wen Chao's reaction was immediate and dramatic. His eyes went wide, pupils dilating as he gazed at the mermaid. The usual haughty sneer melted from his face, replaced by a look of pure wonder. A dopey grin spread across his features, transforming his entire demeanor.
"Hello, gorgeous," he slurred, his voice taking on a dreamy quality that Qing Yi had never heard before. The usual sharp edge to Wen Chao's tone was gone, replaced by a soft, almost reverent timbre. "Come here often?"
As the mermaid's lips curved into a beguiling smile, Wen Chao seemed to fall even deeper under her spell. His body relaxed, tension draining away as if all his worries had suddenly evaporated. He leaned forward, drawn to the mermaid like a moth to a flame.
"I must say," Wen Chao continued, his words becoming more slurred with each passing moment, "you're looking quite fetching today. Is that a new seaweed wrap? It really brings out the, uh, the blueness of your... everything."
Qing Yi, still carefully avoiding direct eye contact, watched in a mixture of fascination and horror as Wen Chao's usual eloquence deserted him entirely. The Slytherin's eyes had taken on a glazed, unfocused look, and a faint, shimmering aura seemed to surround him—clear signs of powerful magical enchantment.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake," Qing Yi muttered. "Ashford! Bignal! Grab him before he becomes fish food!"
Ashford and Bignal, still keeping their eyes averted from the mermaid, reacted quickly to Qing Yi's command. Without hesitation, they lunged for Wen Chao, each grabbing an arm.
"Let go of me, you cretins!" Wen Chao wailed, squirming in their grip. "Can't you see? She's my one true love! My soulmate! My aquatic angel!"
"The only thing you'll be is her dinner if we let you go!" Qing Yi retorted, frantically trying to recall one of the many illumination charms that could counter a mermaid's hypnotic gaze. "Now, what was that spell? Lumos... something?"
As Ashford and Bignal struggled to hold onto the lovesick Wen Chao, Qing Yi faced the mermaid, wand at the ready.
"Stop squirming, Wen Chao!" Ashford grunted.
"It's for your own good!" Bignal added, narrowly avoiding a flailing elbow to the face.
"No! Let me be with my beloved! She understands me like no one else!" Wen Chao cried dramatically.
Qing Yi rolled his eyes with such intensity that he half-expected to see the back of his own skull. "Yes, I'm sure she understands your deep desire to be today's special at the underwater café."
Finally, the spell came to him. "Lumos Maxima Solis!" Qing Yi shouted, waving his wand in a complex pattern. A burst of blindingly bright light, as intense as the midday sun, erupted from his wand. The merpeople shrieked, shielding their light-sensitive eyes before diving back into the depths of the lake.
But Wen Chao was still under the enchantment's effect. Before anyone could react, he broke free from his friends' grip and launched himself at Qing Yi, wrapping him in a soggy embrace.
"Oh, my beloved!" Wen Chao crooned, rubbing his face against Qing Yi's chest. "Your hair is like spun silver, your skin as fair as the moon! I love you more than all the stars in the sky!"
Qing Yi stood rigid, his face a picture of utter disbelief and mild disgust. "Merlin's pants, how strong was that mermaid's charm?" He raised his wand and, with a weary sigh, cast, "Aguamenti!"
A jet of cold water hit Wen Chao square in the face, finally snapping him out of his trance. He blinked rapidly, awareness slowly returning to his eyes. As the reality of the situation dawned on him, horror spread across his features.
Qing Yi, still trapped in Wen Chao's embrace, couldn't resist one last jab. He batted his eyelashes dramatically and said in a syrupy voice, "Oh yes, I’m crazy about you too, snookums. Shall we set a date for our underwater wedding?"
Wen Chao's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. He let out a yelp that could have rivaled a banshee's wail and leaped backwards as if Qing Yi had suddenly transformed into a blast-ended skrewt.
"Ahhh! Koh! What... what in Salazar's name do you think you're doing?!" Wen Chao sputtered, his face turning a shade of red that clashed horribly with his waterlogged robes.
"Saving your life, apparently," Qing Yi replied dryly. "Though I'm starting to question the wisdom of that decision."
As Wen Chao continued to splutter incoherently, backing away until he was safely behind his equally soaked and bewildered lackeys, Qing Yi couldn't help but think that this day had taken a turn even wilder than he could have imagined. And considering he attended a school of magic, that was saying something.
Suddenly, Hagrid's booming voice cut through the chaos. "Oi! Are you boys alright?" The half-giant lumbered towards them, his brow furrowed with concern. "I leave yeh for one minute to fetch more protective gloves, and it looks like yeh've gone and had a water festival!"
The boys turned to Hagrid, their eyes widening as realization struck them like a Stunning Spell. In perfect unison, their heads swiveled towards the shore, where the fire crabs had once been neatly contained.
Qing Yi locked eyes with Wen Chao, then Ashford and Bignal. For a moment, their usual animosity was forgotten in the face of their shared predicament.
"Crap! The fire crabs!" they yelled in unison, their voices echoing across the lake.
They scrambled out of the water, their soaked clothes clinging uncomfortably to their skin. To their dismay, they found their worst fears confirmed. The fire crabs had scattered, leaving a trail of singed grass leading to a vast, muddy area next to the lake.
Wen Chao's shoulders sagged, his usual haughty demeanor replaced by utter dejection. "We spent days gathering them," he moaned. "Days!"
Ashford and Bignal nodded glumly, looking as if someone had just cancelled Christmas.
Qing Yi, despite himself, felt a twinge of sympathy. He knew all too well the frustration of a task going sideways. As he watched their miserable expressions, an unexpected wave of guilt washed over him. He had played a part in this disaster, however unwilling, and seeing them so defeated stirred something in him—a mix of sympathy and responsibility he hadn't anticipated.
Hagrid approached, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "Ah, well... I suppose yeh boys'll have to start all over again." He turned to Qing Yi, his expression softening. "Why don't yeh head back to the castle now, Qing Yi? Yeh got caught up in this, and it's not even your detention to serve."
As Hagrid led the miserable trio towards the mud, Qing Yi stood rooted to the spot. He watched their dejected trudge, saw the slump in their shoulders, and made a decision he was pretty sure he'd regret.
"Hang on!" he called out, jogging to catch up. "It was partly my fault the crabs escaped. I'll help."
Four pairs of eyes turned to him in shock. Wen Chao's jaw practically hit the ground, his eyes widening in disbelief. For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable, the usual sneer replaced by genuine surprise.
"You... you're going to help us?" Wen Chao asked, sounding as if Qing Yi had just announced he was secretly a flobberworm in disguise.
Qing Yi shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't get used to it, Wen Chao. I just can't stand to see such a pitiful display. It's embarrassing for all Slytherins."
As their eyes met, Wen Chao found himself unexpectedly captivated by Qing Yi's emerald gaze. Against the backdrop of the forest's greenery, those eyes seemed to come alive, responding to the surrounding hues. The soft, golden light of the late afternoon cast a gentle glow around Qing Yi, enhancing the silvery sheen of his hair. Wen Chao felt his heart skip a beat, then immediately scowled, disgusted at himself for such a bizarre reaction. He quickly looked away, confused and irritated by the inexplicable rapid beating of his heart.
Qing Yi, oblivious to Wen Chao's internal turmoil, turned his attention back to the task at hand. "Well, are we going to stand here all night, or are we going to catch some fire crabs?"
And so began the Great Fire Crab Hunt of 2024. For hours, they slogged through the mud, chasing after the elusive creatures. The air was filled with shouts, splashes, and the occasional yelp as someone narrowly avoided a jet of flames.
As they worked, Wen Chao found himself stealing glances at Qing Yi. The Ko boy's determination and skill were... impressive, though Wen Chao would never admit it aloud. He watched as Qing Yi deftly created water bubbles to trap the crabs, his movements graceful despite the challenging terrain.
Wen Chao felt his resentment slowly ebbing away, replaced by a grudging respect. He'd always seen Qing Yi as an adversary, but now, covered in mud and working alongside him, Wen Chao began to see him in a different light.
As the sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the lake, they finally corralled the last crab. The five of them stood there, covered head to toe in mud, singed in places, but triumphant.
Hagrid beamed at them. "Well done, lads! I don't think I've ever seen a group work together so well. Even if it did take a mermaid attack and a mud bath to get yeh there."
Wen Chao, looking thoroughly exhausted, turned to Qing Yi. For a moment, it seemed like he might actually say something nice. Then he cleared his throat and managed a grudging, "I suppose you're not entirely useless, Koh."
Qing Yi rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "High praise indeed, coming from you, Wen Chao. I'm positively swooning."
Without warning, Qing Yi grabbed the hem of his mud-caked shirt and pulled it over his head. Wen Chao's eyes widened comically, and he let out a startled yelp that made everyone jump.
"W-what in Merlin's name are you doing, Koh?!" Wen Chao sputtered, his face turning an interesting shade of red.
Qing Yi, surprised by the sudden outburst, raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to wash up a bit before heading back to the castle. Unless you fancy explaining to Filch why we're tracking mud through the entire school?"
Ashford nodded enthusiastically. "Brilliant idea! I'd rather face the Giant Squid again than deal with Filch's wrath."
Bignal was already stripping off his own shirt. "Last one in the lake is a rotten flobberworm!"
As the boys started towards the water's edge, Hagrid called out, "Don't go too far out, lads! Unless yeh fancy another dance with the merfolk!"
Ashford turned back to Wen Chao, who seemed rooted to the spot, his face still flushed. "You coming, Wen Chao? Koh's right, we can't go back looking like we've wrestled a muddy troll."
Wen Chao remained silent, his eyes inadvertently drawn to Qing Yi's surprisingly slender waist. Why does his waist look so small? he thought, then immediately felt horrified at himself for even noticing.
"Yo, Wen Chao!" Bignal's voice snapped him out of his trance. "You alive in there?"
"Huh? Oh, y-yes, I'm coming," Wen Chao stammered, shaking his head as if to clear it.
As they waded into the shallows, careful to avoid any lingering merpeople, Ashford turned to Qing Yi with curiosity. "So, Koh, you seemed to know quite a few spells for a first-year. What gives? You some kind of prodigy or something?"
Qing Yi's lips curled into a smug smile. "Well, I do love studying spells and charms. But I also learned a handful from my parents before starting school. Just common, everyday self-defense spells, you know?"
"Self-defense?" Bignal echoed, intrigued.
"Mm-hmm," Qing Yi nodded, casually flicking water off his arms. "My dad's the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He thinks it's useful for us to learn a few protective spells early on."
The boys' eyes widened in awe. "Wicked!" Ashford exclaimed. "No wonder you handled those fire crabs like a pro!"
As the boys finished washing up and redressed in their now slightly damp but much cleaner clothes, the sky had darkened completely. The conversation flowed, ranging from impressive spells to embarrassing magical mishaps, with Wen Chao remaining uncharacteristically quiet. His eyes kept darting to Qing Yi, then quickly away, his mind a whirl of confusing thoughts.
They began their trek back to the castle, the distant roar of the Quidditch crowd growing louder with each step.
"Sounds like the match is over," Bignal commented.
"Yeah," Qing Yi replied, a hint of regret in his voice. "Wonder who won."
"Well," Ashford said with a grin, "at least we can say our day was more exciting than watching a bunch of people zoom around on broomsticks."
Qing Yi snorted. "Right. Because who needs Quidditch when you can wrestle fire crabs and take a swim with amorous merpeople?"
As laughter erupted among them, even Wen Chao managed a reluctant smile. It had been a bizarre day, filled with unexpected alliances and even more unexpected... feelings.
Every time Qing Yi so much as stretched or ran a hand through his damp silver hair, Wen Chao's face would turn a shade of red that could rival a Gryffindor banner.
Why does his hair have to look so... so... silky? Wen Chao thought miserably. And since when did his eyes look like actual emeralds? This is ridiculous! I must be under some sort of curse. Yes, that's it. The mermaid's enchantment hasn't fully worn off. That explains everything.
Meanwhile, Qing Yi remained blissfully oblivious to Wen Chao's crisis, chatting amicably with Ashford and Bignal about the finer points of fire crab wrangling.
As they approached the castle's grand entrance, they were greeted by a wave of noise and excitement. The Ravenclaw Quidditch team burst through the doors, carrying two players aloft on their shoulders. One was Lan Xichen, the star Ravenclaw Beater, his usually neat appearance disheveled from the match, with wind-tousled hair and smudges of dirt on his face, but his brilliant smile lit up his features. The other was the Ravenclaw Seeker, Oliver Clearwater, his hair equally messy and his face streaked with dirt, both boys clearly exhilarated by their hard-earned victory.
"Ravenclaw wins! Ravenclaw wins!" The chant echoed through the entrance hall as the team paraded the Quidditch Cup.
Even Lan Wangji, usually so stoic, was smiling visibly and applauding his brother's victory. The sight made Qing Yi's heart do a little flip, which he promptly tried to squash.
Suddenly, an arm draped over Qing Yi's muddy shoulders. "Qing Yi! The game was so good!" Wei Wuxian's voice was a mixture of excitement and despair. "We were so close! So close to winning! And oh my— Merlin's saggy Y-fronts, you're muddy!"
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng stepped back, taking in Qing Yi's disheveled state.
"What happened to you?" Jiang Cheng asked, his eyebrows raised. "Did you wrestle the Whomping Willow or something?"
Qing Yi chuckled. "Not quite. I had a fun day with Hagrid and quite an adventure in crab catching..."
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng exchanged bewildered looks. "Crab catching?" they echoed in unison.
"Blimey, that sounds fun," Wei Wuxian grinned. "We should have gone with you instead of watching Lan Xichen show off on his broom."
Qing Yi laughed, secretly sneaking a glance at Lan Xichen, who was still being carried by his teammates, his face alight with joy. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Qing Yi felt his heart skip a beat.
Before he could dwell on it, however, he was tackled by an exuberant Nie Huaisang. "Qing Yi! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for— ugh, eww, mud!" Nie Huaisang jumped back, fanning himself dramatically. "Did you just have a mud bath or something?"
Qing Yi rolled his eyes. "Something like that. I'll tell you all about it later. Right now, I need a shower more than Peeves needs a lesson in manners."
As Qing Yi walked into the castle with his friends, Wen Chao lingered behind, his gaze following the silver-haired boy. He's just a muddy, annoying Koh , Wen Chao told himself sternly. So what if his laugh sounds like... like... windchimes or something equally ridiculous? It doesn't mean anything!
With a huff, Wen Chao turned and strode off in the opposite direction, his lackeys hurrying to keep up. He pointedly ignored the way his heart seemed to protest as the distance between him and Qing Yi grew.
Inside the castle, the celebration continued. Ravenclaw students were singing victory songs, and even the portraits seemed to be getting in on the action, toasting each other with painted goblets of wine.
Wei Wuxian glanced back at the jubilant Ravenclaw crowd and shook his head in disbelief. "I was so sure Gryffindor was going to crush Ravenclaw this time. We even had it all planned out—celebrations and everything! How did it all go so wrong?"
Jiang Cheng nodded, a sour expression on his face. "Yeah, I was betting on a landslide victory. But it turned out to be the opposite. What a disappointment."
Qing Yi, catching their conversation, chimed in with a smirk. "Maybe next time, don't assume anything ahead of time. That way, you won't jinx it and end up disappointed."
Wei Wuxian sighed dramatically but then glanced over at Lan Wangji, who was watching the celebrations with a rare, soft smile on his face. Wei Wuxian grinned, nudging Jiang Cheng. "Well, at least Lan Wangji is smiling. That’s a victory in itself."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Yeah, I suppose that's something."
At that moment, Nie Huaisang, seemingly forgetting his earlier disgust, linked his arm with Qing Yi's muddy one. "So," he said, his curiosity piqued, "are you going to enlighten us on how you ended up looking like you've just lost a mud-wrestling match with a herd of Blast-Ended Skrewts?"
Qing Yi's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Well, you're not going to believe this, but... I ended up helping Wen Chao and his goons with their detention today."
Nie Huaisang's eyes widened comically, his fan nearly slipping from his grasp. "What? Why on earth would you help them? They're serving detention for bullying us, remember? Did you hit your head during this mud bath of yours?"
Qing Yi chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, believe me, I didn't want to. But Hagrid asked so nicely, and well, you know how hard it is to say no to those puppy-dog eyes of his. I was just doing it for him."
"Ohh," Nie Huaisang exhaled, understanding dawning on his face. "Well, if it's for Hagrid, then I suppose that's alright. So, what happened next?"
"Well," Qing Yi continued, his eyes glinting with amusement, "we had a little run-in with some merpeople, and let's just say Wen Chao nearly became the daily special on the Mer-café menu.”
Wei Wuxian burst into laughter, almost doubling over. Even Jiang Cheng couldn't suppress a snort of amusement.
"Oh, I can see it now," Wei Wuxian gasped between fits of giggles, putting on his best impression of a merman waiter, "Today's special: Wen Chowder! Served with a side of bruised ego and a sprinkle of regret!"
The group erupted into laughter, with even Nie Huaisang hiding his chuckles behind his fan. Qing Yi grinned, pleased that his friends found the situation as absurd as he did.
As Qing Yi launched into the full tale, his friends listened with a mixture of horror and hilarity. Despite everything, he felt a warmth in his chest as he recounted the day's events. Sure, he'd missed the Quidditch match and the chance to see how brilliantly Lan Xichen played. Yes, he was covered in mud, and he smelled faintly of smoke and lake water. But somehow, this bizarre day had turned out to be pretty great after all.
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