Chapter 19
Potion-crossed Sweethearts (Part 2)
****
As Qing Yi and Jin Zixuan arrived at the Hogwarts Herald office, Jin Guangyao’s booming voice could be heard from within. The small room was alive with movement, parchment and quills hovering midair, following each student like enchanted scribes. Quills scribbled furiously on the floating parchment as students darted around, gathering information and editing stories on the fly. Jin Guangyao, the head editor, his signature green feather quill hovering next to him, stood at the center of it all, his arms raised dramatically as he addressed the staff.
"Alright, people, the news is out! But remember, even if it's the most boring piece of gossip, you have to make it exciting!" His voice was filled with enthusiasm. "If you hear a feather drop, I want to know how it fell from the wings of a phoenix, causing the entire bird to explode in a blaze of glory! If there’s a rumor, it’s probably true, so write about it!"
Qing Yi and Jin Zixuan exchanged exaggerated looks of disbelief. Qing Yi leaned in, whispering, "Isn't that your cousin? Merlin's beard, he's being quite the cunning serpent, isn't he?”
Jin Zixuan shot Qing Yi a pointed look, his eyebrows raised. "He may be my cousin, but need I remind you, Koh, that he's in the same house as you? I should have known Slytherins were running this tabloid rag. You're all cut from the same cloth, aren't you?"
Qing Yi opened his mouth, a biting retort on the tip of his tongue, when a familiar voice cut through the bustle of the office.
"Hey, Jin! What more do you want me to say about this 'Potion-Crossed Sweethearts' nonsense? I'm running out of flowery adjectives here!"
Qing Yi's eyes widened in shock as he spotted Wen Chao lounging at a nearby desk.
"Wen Chao?" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and growing anger. He marched over, the newspaper clutched tightly in his hand, drawing every eye in the room to him.
The office fell silent as Qing Yi stopped in front of Wen Chao, his emerald eyes flashing dangerously.
"They let YOU handle this section of the newspaper?" he demanded, brandishing the offending article in Wen Chao's face.
Wen Chao's lips curved into a smug grin, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Well, well, if it isn't one half of our 'Bewitched Beaus'," he drawled, causing a ripple of laughter through the room.
"I warned you, Koh. You keep messing with me, and I'll make your life at Hogwarts a living nightmare. Consider this just the opening act."
Qing Yi's brow furrowed so deeply it looked like he was trying to cast a wandless hex with his eyebrows alone. "You overgrown Blast-Ended Skrewt!" he sputtered, his face flushing with anger. "I demand you retract this rubbish at once!"
Wen Chao leaned back in his chair, looking utterly unperturbed. "Or you'll what? Serenade me with love poems too?" He let out a derisive scoff.
"Face it, Koh. The whole school saw you two lovebirds that day. It would be a crime against journalism not to share such a touching romance with our readers. We're simply giving the people what they want!"
Jin Zixuan, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. His face flushed with indignation, fists clenched at his sides. "This is slander!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the office. "My father will hear about this!"
Qing Yi whirled around to face Jin Zixuan, his eyes wide with horror. "What? Absolutely not!" he hissed, grabbing Jin Zixuan's arm.
"Are you out of your mind? Do you want your father to blow this up even more? It's embarrassing enough as it is without parents getting involved. They'll turn this into a full-blown scandal!"
Jin Guangyao stepped forward, a placating smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Now, now, let's all calm down, shall we?" he said smoothly, his voice dripping with false sincerity. He gestured to a nearby student, a nervous-looking first-year with a floating quill and parchment.
"Felius here would be more than happy to jot down any complaints you might have. We do value our readers' feedback, after all."
The first-year Slytherin student, Felius, nodded eagerly, his quill poised and ready to write. It hovered expectantly near Qing Yi's face, causing him to lean back with a grimace.
Jin Guangyao continued, his tone switching from soothing to slightly admonishing. "But do keep in mind, gentlemen, our job is to keep Hogwarts entertained. Right now, you two are the hottest topic in the school. You’re famous!”
With a flick of his wand, Jin Guangyao conjured a magical display. Sparkling confetti burst from above, and in glowing, bold letters, the word " CELEBRITIES " appeared in the air, complete with flashing arrows pointing directly at Qing Yi and Jin Zixuan. A celebratory fanfare played in the background, adding to the ridiculousness of the display.
Qing Yi's face twisted in annoyance as he swatted at the glowing arrows, his hands desperately trying to brush off the shimmering confetti. Jin Zixuan fared no better, frantically waving at the floating letters as they hovered around his head. With a frustrated sigh, Qing Yi finally waved off the magical cloud, which vanished with a soft poof .
Jin Guangyao chuckled slyly at their reaction, clearly amused by the spectacle. "And instead of thanking us for all the attention, you respond with disdain and—dare I say—ungratefulness? How rude."
Jin Zixuan’s anger shot up even higher, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. "If you don't retract this story," he snarled, taking a menacing step forward,
"I'll turn your little school press into less than the ashes of a burning Howler! You'll be lucky if there's enough left to line an owl cage!"
Jin Guangyao's smile didn't falter, but a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. "Temper, temper, cousin," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper but somehow filling the now-silent room.
"You need to be careful with your words. Remember, we're in control of your magical social life at Hogwarts right now." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping even lower.
"Choose your next words carefully, or you might find yourselves on the front page again next week, officially crowned as Hogwarts' first openly gay power couple. I’m sure your father would love that story."
Qing Yi felt his stomach drop to somewhere around his ankles. He glanced at Jin Zixuan, seeing his own horror mirrored in the other boy's face. They were trapped, and they both knew it.
"You wouldn't dare," Qing Yi managed to croak out, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jin Guangyao casually took a seat behind his desk, interlacing his fingers with an air of supreme confidence. His lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "By all means, keep the threats coming. I'm sure our readers would love to hear about the tempestuous nature of your relationship."
The air in the room seemed to crackle with tension. Qing Yi and Jin Zixuan's anger was palpable, but they stood frozen, helpless in the face of Jin Guangyao's veiled threats.
Wen Chao, leaning against a nearby desk, watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smirk. His eyes, however, kept drifting to Qing Yi. There was something about the way Qing Yi was holding himself back, the defiance in his eyes mixed with reluctant restraint, that made him look like an angry, spoiled cat. The mental image caused Wen Chao to let out an unexpected chuckle.
Realizing what he'd done, Wen Chao quickly schooled his features back into a scowl. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he thought, inwardly cursing. 'It's Koh, for Merlin's sake. I can't be... No. Absolutely not.'
Qing Yi, noticing Wen Chao's prolonged stare, snapped, "What are you staring at, Wen? Enjoying my predicament, aren't you?"
Caught off guard, Wen Chao fumbled for words. "Y-yeah... yeah, I am," he stammered, forcing out a laugh that sounded hollow even to his own ears. "Your defeated face is so... so... pathetic, Koh. Hahaha!" He winced internally at how unconvincing he sounded.
Jin Guangyao shot Wen Chao a strange look before turning his attention back to Qing Yi and Jin Zixuan. "So, are we good here, or do you still have something to say? Perhaps you'd like to schedule that exclusive interview after all?"
Jin Zixuan gritted his teeth, his face flushed with anger. He jabbed a finger in Jin Guangyao's direction. "This isn't over, you hear me? You'll regret this."
Qing Yi's expression shifted from anger to concern. He gently gripped Jin Zixuan's elbow, trying to pull him back. "Zixuan, don't—" he whispered urgently.
Jin Guangyao met Jin Zixuan's gaze unflinchingly, his smile never wavering. "Oh, I'm quite sure it isn't, dear cousin. I look forward to our next... interaction."
Qing Yi tugged more insistently on Jin Zixuan's arm. "Let's just go, Zixuan. It's not worth it. We're only making things worse."
As Jin Zixuan and Jin Guangyao continued their staring contest, Wen Chao piped up, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Why don't you listen to your little boyfriend there and retreat? Unless you want more 'facts' about your torrid romance in next week's issue?"
Finally, Jin Zixuan relented. He stepped back, violently shrugging off Qing Yi's hand from his elbow. Without another word, he stormed out of the room.
Qing Yi met Jin Guangyao's gaze one last time, disappointment and resignation clear in his emerald eyes. Jin Guangyao responded with a placid, business-like smile.
With a heavy sigh, Qing Yi turned and followed Jin Zixuan out of the office.
As the door closed behind them, Jin Guangyao's smile faded. He turned to the room at large, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of steel. "Well, it seems my dear cousin needs a lesson in the power of the press. Let's show him how threats against our journalistic integrity can backfire, shall we?" His eyes gleamed with a calculating light.
The other students in the room glanced at each other, feeling the shift in the atmosphere. A few nervous chuckles broke out as they returned to their work, but the tension lingered in the air like a brewing storm.
****
As the day drew to a close, Qing Yi found himself in the library with Nie Huaisang, Wei Wuxian, and Jiang Cheng. The four of them were huddled around a table, surrounded by towering bookshelves that seemed to absorb the soft golden light of the setting sun filtering through the high windows.
Nie Huaisang, who had been fidgeting with his fan, finally closed it with a snap and leaned forward. "So, Qing Yi," he whispered, his eyes alight with curiosity, "how did it go with the Hogwarts Herald? You looked ready to breathe fire when you left the Great Hall."
Qing Yi's shoulders slumped as he recounted the encounter. "It was a disaster," he groaned, running a hand through his silver hair. "Jin Guangyao and Wen Chao were running the show. They threatened to make things even worse if we didn't back off. And Jin Zixuan?" He shook his head. "He just stormed off afterward. Haven't seen him since. Pretty sure he skipped all his afternoon classes too."
Jiang Cheng let out a bark of laughter, quickly muffled by a glare from Madam Pince. "What did I tell you?" he smirked, leaning back in his chair. "It was never going to work, not with a press run by Slytherins." He paused, giving Qing Yi a contemplative look. "Though it seems they're ruthless even with their own. No offense, Qing Yi."
Qing Yi let out a heavy sigh, his emerald eyes downcast. "I guess all we can do now is wait for this whole thing to blow over. Senior Lan was right. The more I react to this nonsense, the deeper I dig my own hole. It's like trying to put out a fire with Firewhisky."
Nie Huaisang reached out, patting Qing Yi's back with exaggerated sympathy. "There, there, my dear friend. This too shall pass. Before you know it, some other poor soul will become the talk of Hogwarts, and you'll be old news."
Just then, the library door opened, and in walked Jing Shi, Wen Qing, Jiang Yanli, and Jing Xiang. They settled at a nearby table, their heads bent together in quiet conversation.
Wei Wuxian, ever observant when it came to potential mischief, noticed immediately. He nudged Jiang Cheng with his elbow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Oy, Jiang Cheng," he stage-whispered, "look who just walked in. It's Jing Xiang!"
Jiang Cheng's head snapped up so fast it was a wonder he didn't get whiplash. His face flushed a deep red as he caught sight of Jing Xiang, before quickly averting his gaze back to their table. His usually stern expression softened noticeably.
Qing Yi, oblivious to the sudden change in Jiang Cheng's demeanor, furrowed his brows in confusion. "What about Jing Xiang?" he asked, looking between his friends. His eyes widened as he noticed Jiang Cheng's blush. "And why are you turning into a human tomato, Jiang Cheng?"
Nie Huaisang, quick on the uptake as always, let out a delighted chuckle. "Oh, sweet Merlin," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Qing Yi, you beautiful, oblivious soul. Can't you see? Our dear Jiang Cheng is absolutely smitten with your twin sister. He's practically got hearts floating around his head!"
Jiang Cheng lunged across the table, attempting to swat Nie Huaisang, but the nimble Slytherin ducked just in time. "Shut it, you idiot!" Jiang Cheng hissed, his face now resembling a ripe beetroot. "I am not!"
Realization finally dawned on Qing Yi, and a look of utter disgust crossed his face. "Ew, gross!" he exclaimed, perhaps a bit too loudly judging by the shushing sounds from nearby tables.
"She's my twin sister, Jiang Cheng! She looks exactly like me, but with... you know, girl parts! That's like you're indirectly asking me out. I think I'm going to be sick."
Jiang Cheng glared at Qing Yi, but there was a softness in his eyes that betrayed his true feelings. "What are you on about, you dolt? It's certainly not like that. I just... admire her spell work, that's all."
Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang shared a knowing look before turning to Jiang Cheng with identical grins. They puckered their lips, making exaggerated kissing noises.
"Oh, it's most definitely like that," Wei Wuxian teased. "Jing Xiang and Jiang Cheng, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
Jiang Cheng's hand twitched towards his wand. "One more word out of either of you," he growled, "and I'll hex you both so hard, you'll think you've been on the wrong end of a Confundus Charm for a week."
Qing Yi, momentarily distracted from the bickering, glanced over at his sisters' table. His emerald eyes narrowed as he tried to picture Jiang Cheng and Jing Xiang together. A shudder ran through him as he couldn't help but see himself in his twin's place. His gaze then fell on the crumpled newspaper he still clutched, the 'School Dance' section catching his eye. Suddenly, a thought struck him like a rogue Bludger.
"Wait a cauldron-boiling minute," Qing Yi blurted out, turning to Jiang Cheng with wide eyes. "Are you planning to ask Jing Xiang to the dance this weekend?"
Jiang Cheng froze, his face cycling through various shades of red faster than a mood ring. "I... I... well, you see..." he stammered, fidgeting with the hem of his robes.
Qing Yi's eyes narrowed to slits, a mischievous glint appearing in them. "Good lord," he drawled, "do you want me to ask her for you? I could put in a good word, you know."
Before he could say anything else, Jiang Cheng lunged across the table, clamping a hand over Qing Yi's mouth. "Don't you dare!" he hissed, panic evident in his eyes. "You're not going to say anything to Jing Xiang, you hear me? Not a peep, not a whisper, not even a Muffliato'd mumble!"
Qing Yi jerked back, nearly toppling off his chair. "Merlin's saggy y-fronts, Jiang Cheng!" he exclaimed. "If you're this terrified of her, why even think about asking her out? She's not a Hungarian Horntail, you know."
"Asking who out?" a gentle voice inquired, causing the group to whirl around. Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji stood there, having just finished their classes.
Qing Yi's face lit up with a grin that would make the Cheshire Cat proud. "Oh, Senior Lan! You won't believe this. Our dear Jiang Cheng here is planning to ask my sister to the school dance next week."
Lan Xichen's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Is that so?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're asking Jing Shi out, Jiang Cheng? How delightful."
Jiang Cheng's eyes widened in horror, shaking his head so vigorously it looked like it might come off.
"What? No, not Jing Shi," Qing Yi corrected, rolling his eyes. "My twin sister, Jing Xiang."
At this, Lan Xichen's eyes widened noticeably, darting between Qing Yi and Jiang Cheng with a mixture of surprise and confusion. His gaze lingered on Qing Yi, as if seeing him in a new light. The corners of his mouth twitched, caught between amusement and bewilderment.
Qing Yi squirmed under Lan Xichen's intense gaze. "Uh... Senior Lan, is there something on my face? Besides the usual dashing good looks, I mean."
Lan Xichen blinked, shaking his head slightly. "Ah, no... it's nothing. Just... thinking."
Just then, Nie Huaisang perked up like a Niffler spotting gold. His eyes locked onto something across the library, and he nudged Jiang Cheng hard in the ribs. "Jiang Cheng, look!" he whispered urgently, jerking his head towards the bookshelves.
"Jing Xiang just stood up. She's alone over there, looking for a book. This is your chance! Go ask her before she disappears faster than a Demiguise!"
Jiang Cheng went rigid, looking like he'd just been hit with a full Body-Bind Curse.
Wei Wuxian, never one to miss an opportunity for chaos, slapped Jiang Cheng on the back. "What are you waiting for, you overgrown Flobberworm? Go ask her before someone else does! Or do you want me to do it for you? I could serenade her with a romantic ballad about your undying love—"
"Alright, alright!" Jiang Cheng yelped, shooting to his feet. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders like a man about to face a Blast-Ended Skrewt. "Here I go. If I don't make it back, tell my mother I loved her."
As Jiang Cheng marched off with all the enthusiasm of a man heading to Azkaban, Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang exchanged gleeful looks.
"I've got to see how spectacularly he messes this up," Wei Wuxian chortled.
Nie Huaisang nodded eagerly. "Oh, absolutely. This is going to be better than a Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes fireworks show."
Qing Yi watched the unfolding drama with a mixture of disgust and resignation, eventually letting out a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul.
"Jing Xiang looks exactly like me. How is Jiang Cheng okay with that? It’s bizarre." he muttered, rubbing his temples. "Is this what it feels like to be trapped in some twisted magical mirror?"
Lan Xichen, meanwhile, observed the scene with a bemused expression, still processing the fact that Jiang Cheng was nervously approaching a face he saw every day in Qing Yi. The look of stunned surprise hadn't quite left his features as he glanced between Qing Yi and Jiang Cheng's retreating. "Well, I suppose love makes us overlook certain details."
"Not when those details look like one of your close friends," Qing Yi muttered under his breath, making Lan Xichen chuckle softly.
Lan Wangji, who had been silent until now, spoke up in his characteristic monotone.
"I don't understand," Lan Wangji said, his golden eyes narrowed in confusion. "Why is Jiang Cheng so nervous? He talks to Qing Yi every day. Couldn't he just pretend Jing Xiang is Qing Yi? Wouldn't that make it easier?"
Both Lan Xichen and Qing Yi turned to stare at Lan Wangji, identical expressions of horror on their faces.
"Wangji," Lan Xichen said slowly, "that's... not how it works."
Qing Yi shuddered dramatically. "That is a disturbing thing to say, Lan Wangji. Truly, deeply disturbing. I think I need to Obliviate myself now."
Lan Xichen, trying to salvage the situation, cleared his throat. "Well," he said, a nervous chuckle escaping him, "I suppose life at Hogwarts certainly never gets dull, does it?"
Qing Yi met Lan Xichen's gaze, a wry smile crossing his face. "You have no idea, Senior Lan. No idea at all. Though I'm starting to think a little dullness might not be so bad right about now."
Lan Xichen's eyes suddenly lit up with recognition. "Oh, speaking of excitement, how did it go with the Hogwarts Herald? Did you manage to sort out that... potion-crossed lovers situation?"
Qing Yi rolled his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't get stuck. "Oh, that went splendidly," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He recounted the encounter, complete with dramatic hand gestures and exaggerated impressions of Jin Guangyao and Wen Chao.
Lan Xichen chuckled lightly, placing a comforting hand on Qing Yi's head. "Well, I suppose you'll just have to wait it out. These things have a way of blowing over," he said, affectionately ruffling Qing Yi's silver hair. "And remember, you can always come to me if the teasing gets too much. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for dealing with troublesome rumors."
Qing Yi felt his face heat up, his heart doing a tap dance in his chest. He nodded obediently, feeling very much like a puppy under Lan Xichen's gentle touch.
The sound of excited chatter filled the air as students around them discussed their plans for the upcoming dance. Qing Yi glanced at the Lan brothers, curiosity getting the better of him. "Oh, by the way, have either of you asked anyone to the dance yet?"
At the mention of the dance, Lan Xichen's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of excitement passing across his face. His brow furrowing in thought. His gaze darted to Qing Yi for a moment before he composed himself, a soft smile playing at his lips.
Lan Wangji, in his characteristic blunt manner, replied without hesitation, "I think I'll go with Wei Ying."
Qing Yi blinked, a bit taken aback by the straightforwardness and confidence in Lan Wangji’s voice. He admired that, wishing he could be as sure of things. "Wow," he mumbled. "That’s... that’s nice." He then turned his attention back to Lan Xichen, eyebrows raised in question.
Lan Xichen, seeming to come out of his brief reverie, cleared his throat softly. "I haven't asked anyone yet," he said, his voice carrying a hint of something unidentifiable. His eyes met Qing Yi's, and for a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say more. Instead, he asked, "What about you, Qing Yi?"
Qing Yi jumped slightly, a blush creeping up his neck. "Oh, I haven't really thought about asking anyone yet..."
Lan Xichen’s smile deepened, and though he didn’t say it out loud, there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Is that so?" he said softly. "Well then, Qing Yi, do you want to—”
But before he could finish, Wei Wuxian's voice carried across the library tables, urgent and sharp, like a suddenly plucked lute string. "Quick, get him over here!"
Qing Yi turned in surprise and saw Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang struggling to support a dazed Jiang Cheng on either side, practically dragging him back to their table. Jiang Cheng’s eyes were wide, his face pale, and his body stiff as a board, as if he had just seen a Dementor.
Qing Yi immediately stood up, worry written all over his face. "What happened?" he asked, pulling out a chair for Jiang Cheng to sit in. "Did it not go well?"
Jiang Cheng closed his eyes, his brows furrowed so deeply they threatened to become one. He shook his head vigorously.
"Did she say no?" Lan Wangji inquired.
More head-shaking.
"She said yes?" Lan Xichen ventured.
Even more vigorous head-shaking.
Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji, and Qing Yi exchanged baffled looks, as if they were watching a particularly confusing game of charades.
Wei Wuxian, barely containing his laughter, explained, "Our boy here got so nervous, he turned into a broken record. He managed to say her name, but as soon as she turned around, all that came out was 'would... would... would...' like a skipping phonograph."
Nie Huaisang jumped in, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And then, out of nowhere, our Slytherin prefect, Senior Huang Ming Zhe swoops in like he's diving for the Snitch in the Quidditch World Cup final." He paused for dramatic effect.
"He asks Jing Xiang out with the confidence of a seasoned Quidditch star facing a team of first-years, and boom! Our lover boy here lost his chance faster than you can say 'Wronski Feint.'"
Wei Wuxian nodded vigorously. "It was like watching a professional Seeker outmaneuver a wobbly first-year on a school broom. Poor Jiang Cheng here didn't stand a chance against Huang's Quidditch-honed charm offensive."
All eyes turned to Jiang Cheng, who finally stopped shaking his head and spoke in a dreamy, distant voice.
"There she was... standing there... the moment she turned and looked at me, my brain went blank. She was like a breath of fresh air on a crisp winter morning, a ray of sunshine breaking through storm clouds, a—"
Qing Yi's face contorted into an expression of utter bewilderment and disgust.
"How in Merlin's saggy pants are you this nervous around Jing Xiang? She has my face. MY FACE! You see me every day! Why aren't you a bumbling mess when you talk to me? You should be overflowing with confidence because it's the same blasted face you see every bloody day!"
Jiang Cheng looked at Qing Yi, then quickly averted his gaze as if burned. "Don't look at me, Qing Yi. You share the same face as her. It hurts too much."
Qing Yi froze, his face a picture of horrified realization. "Oh, Merlin's beard on a stick," he groaned.
"I'm so glad I get to keep my male gender. Otherwise, you'd probably have asked me out too, huh?" He meant it as a joke, but Jiang Cheng's face suddenly turned the color of a ripe tomato.
"Yeah, I wou—" Jiang Cheng began, but Qing Yi cut him off with the speed of a Seeker spotting the Snitch.
"DON'T! Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Qing Yi yelped, clamping his hands over his ears. He let out a long-suffering sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of his soul. "I need a Time-Turner to go back and un-hear that."
As the group dissolved into a mixture of laughter, teasing, and Jiang Cheng's continued lamentations, Lan Xichen watched Qing Yi with a soft smile, the question he had been about to ask still lingering unspoken on his lips.
Nie Huaisang suddenly perked up, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He dramatically flung his arms wide, nearly knocking over a stack of books. "Well, gentlemen," he declared with exaggerated flair, "it looks like the three of us are going to the dance together, right?" He reached over, draping his arms around both Qing Yi and Jiang Cheng's shoulders, pulling them close.
Qing Yi's brows furrowed so deeply they threatened to become one. He shrugged off Huaisang's arm, looking affronted. "Hey, what makes you think I can't get a date for the dance?" he protested, his emerald eyes flashing with indignation.
Lan Xichen turned slightly toward Qing Yi, his gaze sharpening with interest. The rest of the group also turned their attention to Qing Yi, curiosity piqued.
Nie Huaisang's grin widened to Cheshire Cat proportions. "That's right!" he exclaimed, snapping his fan open with a flourish. "I totally forgot our lover boy Qing Yi here still has his sweetheart Jin Zixuan! What a romantic tale for the ages!"
The boys erupted into laughter, their guffaws echoing through the library. Lan Xichen managed a polite smile, while Lan Wangji's expression remained impassive save for a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Qing Yi's face contorted into an expression of utter disgust, as if he'd just swallowed a particularly nasty Bertie Bott's bean. "I'm going to transfigure you into a ferret, Huaisang," he growled, his hand twitching towards his wand. "A particularly ugly one, at that."
Wei Wuxian, never one to miss an opportunity for chaos, leaned in, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "So then, oh great romancer," he teased, poking Qing Yi in the ribs, "who are you going to ask out if you're so confident about getting a date?"
Qing Yi hesitated, a blush creeping up his neck. "Well..." His eyes darted over to Lan Xichen, meeting his gaze for a brief, charged moment before quickly looking away, his cheeks now a vibrant shade of pink.
Jiang Cheng, apparently recovered enough from his own romantic disaster to partake in some teasing, caught the exchange. A mischievous glint appeared in his eye. "Oh," he said, his tone dripping with fake innocence, "I think Xichen-ge is going with my Jie, right?"
The moment Jiang Yanli was mentioned, Qing Yi's eyes turned to daggers, sharp enough to cut through steel. Lan Xichen jumped slightly, startled by the sudden intensity in Qing Yi's gaze.
"No," Lan Xichen said quickly, still a bit rattled, quickly corrected Jiang Cheng. "She's going with Jin Zixuan, I think."
Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang pounced on this information like a pair of Nifflers on a gold mine. They grabbed onto Qing Yi, their faces masks of exaggerated sympathy.
"Oh no," Wei Wuxian cried dramatically, clutching his heart. "Looks like Jiang Yanli has stolen yet another man from you, Qing Yi. How will you ever recover from this devastating blow?"
Nie Huaisang nodded solemnly, fanning himself at a furious pace. "First Xichen-ge, now Jin Zixuan? How tragic," he added. "Our poor Qing Yi, always the bridesmaid, never the bride."
Qing Yi's face was a kaleidoscope of emotions. Relief flashed across his features when he heard Jiang Yanli was going with Jin Zixuan, which meant Lan Xichen was free. But it quickly morphed into a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment at his friends' relentless teasing.
"That's it," Qing Yi growled, finally yanking out his wand. His emerald eyes glinted dangerously. "I'm going to hex all of you until next week. That way, you can't go to the dance, and I'll have my pick of partners!"
Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang grinned mischievously as Qing Yi moved toward them, but before things could escalate, Lan Xichen softly interjected, his voice a gentle reminder. "Shhh, we're still in the library. Try not to get us all banned."
Qing Yi paused, wand still in hand, before lowering it slightly. Wei Wuxian leaned over to Nie Huaisang, whispering playfully, "Saved by Xichen-ge."
Nie Huaisang smirked, turning to Qing Yi. "We'd like to see you try, anyway," he whispered with a grin.
Qing Yi rolled his eyes, and the boys exchanged quiet, playful threats, their laughter dying down into soft chuckles as they settled back into their seats, careful not to disturb the peaceful hush of the library.
Lan Xichen watched the scene unfold, a soft smile playing on his lips and a warm glimmer in his eyes that seemed reserved solely for the silver-haired Slytherin. As Qing Yi playfully bickered with his friends, Lan Xichen's mind drifted to the upcoming Fall Dance. The unasked question still hovered, but he felt no rush. The dance is still a few days away – plenty of time to find the right moment, the perfect words. For now, he was content to observe, his eyes never straying far from Qing Yi.
****