Chapter 11
The Hogsmead Field Trip (Part 1)
As September faded into October, Hogwarts Castle embraced the autumn with open arms. The grounds transformed into a canvas of warm hues, the Forbidden Forest's edge ablaze in gold and crimson. A crisp breeze carried the scent of fallen leaves, rustling through the trees and sending ripples across the Black Lake. Students donned cozier robes and house-colored scarves, hurrying between classes under a sky that promised the comfort of pumpkin-spiced treats and the excitement of upcoming fall festivities.
The crisp autumn air buzzed with excitement as students gathered in the courtyard for the announcement of the Hogsmeade Fall Festival pairings. Professor Granger stood at the front, her stern face betraying a hint of amusement as she surveyed the crowd of eager students.
"This year," she began, her voice carrying across the courtyard, "first-years will be paired with second-years from different houses. This is to promote inter-house unity and... prevent certain troublemakers from causing too much chaos." Her eyes pointedly swept over Wei Wuxian, who grinned shamelessly.
Qing Yi stood among the first years, his nerves tingling with anticipation. Please let it be Lan Xichen, he thought, unable to stop the image of the gentle Ravenclaw from popping into his head. But as soon as he did, another thought crashed into his mind, Wait, Lan Xichen? Seriously? He likes Jiang Yanli! His face scrunched up in mild disgust. Ugh... maybe not Lan Xichen. I have my own dignity, after all. I mean, who wants to be paired with someone who's smitten with someone else?
Next to him, Nie Huaisang fidgeted nervously, his eyes darting between the crowd of second-years and his brother, Nie Mingjue.
"Oh no, oh no," Nie Huaisang muttered, fanning himself frantically. "What if my brother picks me? Can you imagine spending the whole day with Mingjue-ge? He'd probably make me recite the entire history of Gryffindor while jogging around Hogsmeade!"
Qing Yi couldn't help but chuckle at the mental image. "Relax, Huaisang. The chances of that happening are pretty slim, right?"
Nie Huaisang's eyes widened in horror. "But what if it does happen? This is supposed to be a fun trip, not a mobile lecture on 'The Importance of Gryffindor Valor'!" He clutched his fan tightly, looking like he might snap it in half from sheer anxiety.
Qing Yi, feeling a twinge of sympathy for his friend, patted him on the shoulder. "Tell you what, if your brother does pick you, we can trade partners if you'd like."
Nie Huaisang's face lit up like a Lumos Maxima charm. "Really? Oh, Qing Yi, you're the best! You're as kind as a house-elf and as wise as Rowena Ravenclaw herself!"
Qing Yi smiled, shaking his head at Huaisang's dramatic reaction. "You're welcome. I mean, I wouldn't want to be with Lan Xichen if he'd pick my name either."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Qing Yi froze, realizing he'd voiced his inner thoughts out loud. Nie Huaisang's fan stopped mid-flutter, his expression morphing from relief to curiosity faster than a Snitch could change direction.
"Again with the Lan Xichen hate? Do you really dislike him that much?" Huaisang asked, eyebrows raised. "To be honest, I'd rather be paired with Senior Lan than my brother. But to each his own, I suppose."
Qing Yi felt his face heat up, his brain scrambling for a recovery. "Oh! Uh... haha... well, good! I guess I'll be the only one who doesn't want Lan Xichen. It seems like the whole school is in love with him anyway. More Lan Xichen for everyone else, right?"
Nie Huaisang's eyes narrowed suspiciously, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Methinks the lady doth protest too much," he said in a sing-song voice.
"What? No! I mean... I don't... Oh, look! They're starting the pairing announcements!" Qing Yi said, pointing frantically at the front of the room, grateful for the distraction.
The Headmistress, Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the chatter, silencing the students. "Attention, everyone," she announced, her Scottish brogue carrying across the courtyard. "Our second-year students will now draw names to determine their first-year partners for the Hogsmeade trip. This pairing is designed to foster inter-house unity and broaden your perspectives."
As she spoke, Qing Yi's heart started racing again. His eyes followed every name drawn with a mix of hope and dread. When it was Lan Xichen's turn, Qing Yi couldn't help but hold his breath, nervously watching the Ravenclaw reach into the box.
"Please not me, please not me," he muttered under his breath, then caught himself. "I mean, I don't care. Nope. Not at all. Totally indifferent."
Nie Huaisang noticed Qing Yi's anticipation and smirked, leaning in to whisper, "You know, for someone who claims to dislike Lan Xichen, you sure seem invested in whether or not he picks your name."
"I'm not invested!" Qing Yi hissed back, his voice cracking slightly. "I'm just... concerned about the structural integrity of the selection box. You know, from a purely academic standpoint."
Nie Huaisang snorted, hiding his laugh behind his fan. "Oh yes, very academic. I'm sure that's exactly why you look like you're about to pass when Lan Xichen reaches into that box."
"Jiang Cheng," Lan Xichen announced with a smile.
Qing Yi's face went through a complex series of emotions in rapid succession, like a chameleon trying to blend in with a rainbow.
Nie Huaisang, seizing the opportunity, leaned in and said in a singsong voice, "Aww, lucky Jiang Cheng! He gets to spend the whole day with the oh-so-perfect Lan Xichen. What a shame, right, Qing Yi?"
Qing Yi, caught off guard, nodded absently. "Yeah... just my luck," he mumbled, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Suddenly, realizing what he'd just admitted, Qing Yi's eyes widened in panic. He whipped his head around to face Nie Huaisang so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash.
"I mean, what? No! That's good! Great, even! I'm glad he didn't pick me. I'd rather be paired with your brother. Yeah, that's it! Nie Mingjue looks strong. He could probably bench press me. Not that I want him to, of course. I mean, unless he wants to. Wait, no, that's not what I meant either!"
Qing Yi's words tumbled out in a frantic, jumbled mess, each sentence digging him deeper into a hole of embarrassment. His face turned a shade of red that would make a Gryffindor banner look pale in comparison.
Nie Huaisang's face slowly morphed into the most insufferably knowing smirk, his expression screaming "I knew it!" louder than a Howler on a quiet morning. He fanned himself dramatically, eyebrows raised so high they threatened to disappear into his hairline.
"Oh, Qing Yi," Nie Huaisang purred, snapping his fan shut with a flourish. "You're about as subtle as a rampaging Erumpent in Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Why don't you just admit you're smitten with Lan Xichen?"
Qing Yi sputtered, his face turning a shade of red that would make a Gryffindor banner look pale in comparison. "I am not smitten! I just... appreciate his... his... impeccable posture. It's very proper. Educational, even. I'm studying it. For health reasons."
Nie Huaisang patted Qing Yi's shoulder consolingly, though the effect was somewhat ruined by the fact that he was clearly trying not to laugh. "There, there. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Though, between you and me, you might want to work on your poker face. Right now, you're about as subtle as a Hippogriff in a china shop."
Qing Yi groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Is it too late to transfer to Beauxbatons?" he mumbled through his fingers. "I hear France is lovely this time of year. And they probably don't have nosy friends who read you like an open book there."
"Oh, come now," Nie Huaisang chuckled, "where's the fun in that? Besides, who else would keep me entertained with their utterly unconvincing denials of crushes on certain Ravenclaw prefects?"
Before Qing Yi could come up with a suitably scathing retort (or possibly curl up and die from embarrassment), a gentle female voice cut through their banter.
"Koh Qing Yi?"
Qing Yi, still lost in his mortification, responded automatically. "Yeah?"
It took a moment for reality to sink in. When it did, Qing Yi's head snapped up so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash for the second time that day. His eyes widened in horror as he recognized the voice. There, holding a piece of paper with his name on it and smiling sweetly, stood none other than Jiang Yanli.
"WHAT? JIANG YANLI?!" Qing Yi bellowed, his voice cracking spectacularly, hitting a pitch that would make a banshee wince.
The entire courtyard fell silent. Even the birds seemed to stop chirping, as if shocked by the outburst. Jiang Yanli jumped, nearly dropping the paper, her smile faltering slightly.
"Um, yes?" she replied uncertainly, looking as if she wasn't sure whether to be concerned or amused.
Nie Huaisang, barely containing his laughter, leaned in and whispered, "Well, well, well. Looks like you got your wish, Qing Yi. You're not paired with Lan Xichen after all. Congratulations?" He patted the stunned Qing Yi on the shoulder, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Professor Granger, startled by the sudden outburst, raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Koh, is everything alright?"
Qing Yi's face turned a shade of red that would make a tomato jealous. "Uh...Yes, Professor," he stammered. "I was just... surprised. Very surprised. That’s all…"
Wei Wuxian, unable to contain himself, burst into laughter. "Oh, this is brilliant! Qing Yi, your face is priceless. Someone should paint a portrait of this moment and hang it in the Great Hall!"
Jiang Cheng elbowed his friend, but he too was fighting back a smirk. "Well, at least now you can ask my sister all about her 'study sessions' with Lan Xichen," he whispered to Qing Yi, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Lan Wangji, ever the stoic, raised an eyebrow but couldn’t hide the tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Qing Yi, trying to regain his composure, shot them all a glare. “You two have such sharp tongues... I’m surprised you haven’t cut yourselves yet.”
Wei Wuxian let out a hearty laugh, clapping Qing Yi on the back. “Ah, that’s the Slytherin spirit! You’ll survive, don’t worry.”
Meanwhile Lan Xichen had also noticed the scene. He saw the look of shock and annoyance on Qing Yi’s face, quickly followed by the now-familiar dagger stare aimed straight at Jiang Yanli—something that had become almost instinctual for Qing Yi. Despite himself, Lan Xichen couldn’t help but chuckle.
Poor Yanli…, Lan Xichen thought with a smile. This is going to be an interesting day.
After all the students were paired up, Professor Grangercleared her throat. "Now, if anyone wishes to trade partners, you may do so. But remember, it must be with someone from a different house. We're promoting inter-house unity, not a social club."
As the second-year students moved to greet their first-year partners, Jiang Yanli approached Qing Yi with a warm smile. Qing Yi, however, was busy perfecting his death glare, his eyes narrowed to slits. This time, Jiang Yanli caught sight of Qing Yi’s intense stare. She hesitated, confusion flickering in her eyes, and a hint of nervousness crept into her usual calm demeanor. Still, she kept her composure, her gentle nature shining through.
“Hi, Qing Yi,” she greeted him with a warm smile, her voice as kind as ever. “Nice to meet you. I’ll be your guide through our field trip. Feel free to ask me anything about Hufflepuff, and I’d love to learn more about Slytherin from you if you’re willing to share.”
Qing Yi maintained his intense stare, managing only a small, annoyed huff. "Hm. Sure."
Jiang Yanli felt a chill run down her spine but shrugged it off. Must be a Slytherin thing, she thought to herself.
Lan Xichen, noticing the tension, decided to intervene. He approached the pair with his usual grace, only to find himself on the receiving end of Qing Yi's arctic glare. Lan Xichen hadn’t expected Qing Yi to direct that same icy glare at him. The sudden chill in Qing Yi’s eyes caught him off guard, but he pressed on, trying to maintain his composure.
“Hello, Yanli. Qing Yi,” Lan Xichen greeted them both, his tone warm but with a slight hesitation as he tried to ease the tension. He then turned to Jiang Yanli and suggested, “I was thinking, since your brother is my partner, perhaps you’d feel more comfortable if we swapped partners?”
Jiang Yanli blinked, considering the offer. She could sense the annoyance from the younger Slytherin, though she didn’t fully understand why. The idea of being with her brother sounded comforting, especially given Qing Yi’s less-than-welcoming attitude.
But Qing Yi, upon hearing Lan Xichen’s suggestion, felt his frustration reach new heights. He’s doing this for her comfort ? His irritation turned into outright jealousy. Without thinking, he snapped,
"Why? You don't think she'll have a good time paired with me? Am I not good enough company for the precious Jiang Yanli?"
Both Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli jumped, startled by the venom in Qing Yi's voice. Lan Xichen's eyes widened, a flicker of hurt crossing his face. He felt a twinge in his chest at Qing Yi's misunderstanding. "Qing Yi, that's not at all what I—"
"If I have to choose," Qing Yi interrupted. "I'd rather be paired with Senior Nie than either of you. At least he wouldn't treat me like a charity case."
With that, Qing Yi immediately turned his back on them and walked away, his steps brisk and filled with frustration.
Lan Xichen's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by Qing Yi's sharp words. The sudden shift in Qing Yi's demeanor - from his usual warmth to this unexpected coldness - left Lan Xichen momentarily stunned.
Jiang Yanli blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face at Qing Yi's unexpected hostility. However, her intuition quickly kicked in, sensing there might be more to his animosity. She smiled kindly at Lan Xichen, though her eyes held a hint of confusion.
"Let's just stay with our original pairings. I haven't spent much time with Slytherins yet, and I'm eager to learn more about their house."
Lan Xichen nodded, his warm smile returning. "Alright, if you're sure. That sounds like a wonderful idea."
As they exchanged polite smiles, Qing Yi paused in his tracks and turned around. Seeing their friendly interaction, he felt his heart twist. "Merlin's beard," he muttered, "why don't those two just get a room already?"
Lan Xichen caught Qing Yi's gaze just as the younger student was about to leave. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Qing Yi quickly turned away and continued walking.
Lan Xichen watched him go, his smile fading as a sigh escaped his lips. He felt a pang of guilt, knowing that Qing Yi had misunderstood the situation and that he had inadvertently made things worse.
As Qing Yi stomped off, Wei Wuxian, who had been eavesdropping nearby, couldn't contain his laughter. "Oh, Qing Yi," he chuckled, "you're about as stealthy with your feelings as a Niffler in Gringotts!”
Jiang Cheng, standing next to his friend, sighed deeply. "This Hogsmeade trip is going to be more dramatic than a Celestina Warbeck concert. Should we sell tickets?"
Lan Wangji, observing silently from afar, merely raised an eyebrow. His expression, as always, remained unreadable, but those who knew him well might have detected a hint of concern in his golden eyes.
Among the crowd of second-years, Wen Chao stood with his arms crossed, a scowl etched deeply on his face as he watched Qing Yi storm off. His eyes followed the silver-haired Slytherin's retreating form with an intensity that betrayed more than simple animosity.
"Why do we have to pair with another house anyway?" he grumbled, his voice a mix of annoyance and... something else. "It's not like Slytherins need to mingle with the riffraff."
Jin Guangyao, standing beside him with his usual placid smile, raised an eyebrow. "To promote inter-house unity, of course. Weren't you listening to Professor Granger? Or were you too busy planning your next failed attempt at world domination?"
Wen Chao clicked his tongue, a sharp "tsk" cutting through the air. His gaze remained fixed on Qing Yi as the silver-haired boy disappeared into the castle.
Jin Guangyao's eyes narrowed, following Wen Chao's line of sight. A spark of curiosity lit up his face. "My, my. What's this? Thinking of bullying Koh again? Looking to add another broken nose to your collection? I hear Madam Pomfrey's running a special - break five, get the sixth fixed free."
Wen Chao's face contorted into a grimace, a mix of disgust and confusion flashing in his eyes. "As if! I wouldn't want to be within ten feet of that... that..." he fumbled for words, his face flushing an angry red. "That prissy little snake! He thinks he's so special with his stupid silver hair and how he’s always…always..."
When Chao's voice trailed off, his eyes darting around as if searching for the right insult. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white.
"Showing off? Outsmarting you? Making you look bad?" Jin Guangyao supplied helpfully, his smile growing more amused by the second. "Or perhaps the reason you can't seem to look away?"
"Shut it, Jin!" Wen Chao snapped, his voice cracking slightly. "I wouldn't go near that freak if you paid me a million Galleons! He's... he's disgusting! Yeah, that's it. Disgusting!"
Jin Guangyao's eyebrows shot up, his smile faltering for a moment. "Careful, Wen Chao. That's awfully strong language. Need I remind you that Huang Ming Zhe is keeping a close eye on you? Our esteemed Slytherin prefect made it quite clear what would happen if you stepped out of line again."
Wen Chao's face paled slightly at the mention of Huang Ming Zhe, but he quickly recovered, his scowl deepening. "I don't care what that stuck-up prefect thinks. Koh is... he's just... Argh!" With that incoherent growl, he stomped off, his goons scrambling to keep up.
Jin Guangyao watched him go, his head tilted in puzzlement. "Curious," he mused aloud. "For someone who claims to despise Koh, you certainly spend an awful lot of time watching him. One might almost think..." He paused, a knowing glint in his eye. "Well, well, Wen Chao. It seems you're fighting quite the internal battle. This should be... interesting."
A sly smile played on Jin Guangyao's lips as he turned to follow the others, whistling a jaunty tune. As he walked, he couldn't help but wonder how this tangled web of emotions would play out during their Hogsmeade trip. One thing was certain - it was bound to be eventful.
****
The next morning, the crisp autumn air was filled with excitement as the students prepared for their trip to Hogsmeade. Qing Yi stepped out from his Slytherin dormitory, his field trip backpack slung over one shoulder. He was ready for the day—well, as ready as he could be considering the circumstances.
As he entered the courtyard, his eyes widened in awe. The Hogwarts grounds were dotted with magical carriages, each one looking like an ordinary carriage but enchanted to carry eight passengers effortlessly. The horses pulling the carriages were Thestrals—skeletal, winged creatures visible only to those who had witnessed death, but to most students, they appeared as regular, albeit somewhat spooky, horses.
Qing Yi's mouth fell open as he stared at the skeletal, winged creatures harnessed to the carriages. They were unlike anything he'd ever seen before—eerie, yet somehow beautiful in their otherworldly appearance.
Just then, Wei Wuxian’s voice cut through his thoughts. "Qing Yi! Over here!" Wei Wuxian waved frantically, nearly smacking Jiang Cheng in the face. “Let’s take the same carriage!” he called out, his enthusiasm contagious.
Qing Yi’s eyes were still glued to the Thestrals as he made his way over to his friends. "Whoa! What are those?" he exclaimed, pointing at the creatures harnessed to the carriages.
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng exchanged confused glances. "What do you mean?" Wei Wuxian asked, looking at the carriages. "They're just horses."
"No, they're not horses!" Qing Yi insisted. "I know how horses look. These are... different."
Lan Xichen, standing beside the carriage, observed Qing Yi with a mix of surprise and quiet concern. It wasn’t often that someone so young could see these creatures, making Lan Xichen quietly question what Qing Yi might have gone through. Still, he kept his expression gentle as he walked closer to Qing Yi.
“Those are Thestrals,” Lan Xichen said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. “They're quite special. Only those who have seen death can see them."
Qing Yi’s fascination wavered as he processed this information. “Thestrals… death?” he echoed, his voice tinged with confusion.
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow, glancing between Qing Yi and the spooky horses. “Wait, does that mean you’ve seen someone die, Qing Yi?”
Qing Yi frowned, clearly puzzled. "I’m not sure… I think I’d remember if I’d seen someone die." He paused, then his expression brightened as if a thought suddenly struck him. "Wait! I did see a dead bird once. Does that count?" He looked up at Lan Xichen with a hopeful expression.
Lan Xichen's smile remained gentle. "I bet that did it," he said, though he knew it likely hadn't. His eyes held a hint of worry as he observed Qing Yi's genuine confusion.
Qing Yi nodded, still puzzled but willing to let the subject drop. He then noticed Jiang Yanli and Lan Xichen standing next to the carriage. His earlier excitement dimmed slightly as he realized what Wei Wuxian’s invitation meant. He would be sharing a carriage with both of them. Ugh…I shouldn’t have come over… he thought, his mood souring.
As he looked around, he noticed that Lan Wangji was paired with a second-year student from Hufflepuff, a quiet girl named Elara Greenwood. Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, was paired with another second-year from Slytherin—a boy named Marcus Flintlock, known for his sharp wit and even sharper tongue. Qing Yi recognized him immediately; they often crossed paths in the Slytherin common room.
Spotting Nie Huaisang chatting animatedly with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, Qing Yi approached his friend, hoping for a way out. "Huaisang, who's your second-year partner?"
Nie Huaisang turned to Qing Yi with a grin. "Oh, it's Wen Qing-jie! She's over there with your sisters." He pointed to a carriage two spots away.
Qing Yi looked over to see Wen Qing standing with Jing Shi and Jing Xiang. His face brightened as he waved enthusiastically at his sisters, who returned the gesture with matching grins and excited waves. Reluctantly, Qing Yi turned back to Huaisang. "Wait, so you're not riding with us?"
Huaisang glanced at the nearly full carriage, then back at Qing Yi. "Well... your carriage looks pretty packed,” he drawled, tapping his chin thoughtfully, “but ours isn't. You could join us if you'd like?"
Qing Yi's face lit up at the prospect of escaping his current predicament, but before he could eagerly accept Nie Huaisang's offer, Wei Wuxian bounded over, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Hey, guys! You've got to hear this," he exclaimed, pulling his Slytherin partner closer. "Flintlock here was just telling us about the Slytherin common room. I didn't know your fireplace has an enchanted serpent that hisses when someone tells a lie? That is pretty darn cool!"
Despite his earlier mood, Qing Yi couldn't help but feel a small spark of pride for his house. He nodded, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "That's right. The serpent in the fireplace is pretty clever. If you're trying to pull one over on someone, it'll start hissing louder and louder until you fess up."
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened with excitement. Jiang Cheng, who had also been listening, leaned in, both exclaiming in unison, "No way! That's brilliant! Has it ever caught anyone?"
Nie Huaisang suddenly looked very interested in the sky. Qing Yi's smirk widened. "Just the other day, actually. Someone tried to claim they didn't know anything about a missing fan from the common room..."
"I was borrowing it for a theatrical performance!" Nie Huaisang protested, his face turning red. "How was I supposed to know the stupid snake would rat me out?"
The group burst into laughter, with Wei Wuxian wiping tears from his eyes. "Serves you right, Huaisang. The master of pretending he’s innocent, finally got caught."
Before the boys could say anything further, Professor Granger's voice rang out across the courtyard, amplified by the Sonorus charm.
"Attention, students!" she called, her tone firm but tinged with warmth. "It's time to depart for Hogsmeade. Please enter your carriages in an orderly fashion. Remember, you are representatives of Hogwarts, so I expect exemplary behavior from all of you."
There was a flurry of movement as students scrambled to find their partners and carriages. Nie Huaisang grabbed Qing Yi's arm. "Quick, let's go to our carriage!"
They hurried over, hope rising in Qing Yi's chest, only to have it dashed upon seeing two other students already joining Jing Shi and Jing Xiang. The carriage was full. Qing Yi's face fell, a mix of disappointment and frustration washing over him.
"Well..." Nie Huaisang sighed, echoing Qing Yi's dejection. "I guess we'll meet in Hogsmeade? We can ride back together?"
Qing Yi's shoulders slumped. He wanted to protest, to find a way to switch, but he knew it was futile. "Yeah, I guess," he mumbled, unable to hide the disappointment in his voice.
Nie Huaisang, sensing his friend's mood, offered a sympathetic smile. "Hey, it's not so bad. Just try to enjoy the ride. We'll have plenty of time in Hogsmeade!" With a final pat on Qing Yi's shoulder, he jogged towards his carriage, his scarf fluttering in the crisp autumn breeze.
Professor Granger's voice cut through once more, "First and second years, stick with your assigned partners. Third years and above, while you have more freedom, do try to stay out of trouble." Her gaze lingered pointedly on Wei Wuxian, who responded with his most innocent smile.
"Mr. Filch will be patrolling, so consider yourselves warned," she added, eliciting groans from the crowd. "Now, off you go, and enjoy your day!"
As students climbed into their carriages, Qing Yi hesitated. He cast one last longing look at the carriage where his sisters and Nie Huaisang were settling in, before turning with a heavy sigh towards Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and the others. Resigned to his fate, he climbed in, trying to steel himself for the awkward journey ahead.
The inside of the carriage was roomy, thanks to the magic that expanded the interior, but it didn’t feel nearly large enough as he settled into his seat and glanced at Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli sitting across from him. He kept his expression neutral, though his thoughts were anything but calm.
As the carriage began to move, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng couldn’t contain their excitement. “Look at that!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, pointing out the window. “The trees are all turning red and orange! And the Halloween decorations are amazing! Lan Zhan, isn't it beautiful? Look at that giant pumpkin!"
Lan Wangji gave a small nod, his golden eyes taking in the scenery with quiet appreciation.
"And look there!" Jiang Cheng pointed out, barely containing his laughter. "That skeleton decoration looks almost as grumpy as someone we know." He shot a pointed look at Qing Yi, who responded with a glare that could have curdled milk.
"Now, now," Lan Xichen interjected gently. He had been quietly observing Qing Yi and noticed the tension between Qing Yi, himself, and Jiang Yanli. He decided to speak up, hoping to lighten the mood. "Qing Yi, are you alright? You don't seem to be enjoying the ride.
Qing Yi sighed, pulling his hood up over his head. “I’m fine,” he muttered. “Just a bit sleepy.” He crossed his arms and leaned back against the seat, trying to distance himself from the cheerful chatter. “I think I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when we get there, please?”
Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli exchanged a slightly awkward glance, sensing that Qing Yi is clearly bothered. But before they could say anything more, Jiang Yanli pointed out the window. “Xichen, look over there! I can see the smoke from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. It’s so busy already!”
Lan Xichen smiled warmly at her observation. “Yes, it looks like business is booming. Maybe we should stop by later,” he suggested, his tone light and friendly.
Jiang Yanli laughed softly. “That sounds like fun. I’ve heard they have some new tricks just in time for Halloween.”
As the two shared a moment of laughter, Qing Yi, despite his best efforts, couldn’t help but hear them. Their cheerful conversation only served to deepen his irritation. Ugh, yeah, I’m definitely taking Jing Shi’s carriage on the way back, he thought bitterly. They’re so annoying.
He closed his eyes, hoping to block out the noise and his own simmering frustration, but the thoughts kept swirling in his mind as the carriage continued its journey to Hogsmeade.
****