What is Your Greatest Fear?
“Ah-! Damn it, Nott-!” Blaise yelped as he rubbed his nose as glared at Theodore and said, “As if you didn’t stare at his chest the most, Nott!” Theodore flushed red as he went to grab another book to throw at Blaise, “If you do that I will hex you Nott” Blaise threatened which did make Theodore pause before turning to Draco with a glare.
“Don’t look at me, we were all thinking the same thing the only difference is that Blaise said it” Draco said casually as he took a sip of his nightly tea that calmed his nerves, restless sleep has always been a problem but dreamless draught has always had unusual side effects that Draco hated with a passion and refused to use it.
Draco glanced at Theodore from the corner of his eye before taking another sip of his tea, “I heard… that you met him personally in the dorms left flustered, unless of course you want to enlighten the room with the truth, Nott.” Draco said with a sly smirk Theodore scoffed and turned away with a tinge of blush.
Blaise smirked as he sat up and leaned against his trunk, “Why so quiet now? What did you see what a nymph looks like beneath those robes? Was it soft-” Blaise could barely react as his mouth was jinked. “-Langlock-!” Blaise couldn’t speak and his tongue went in a familiar numb as he couldn’t move it from the top of his mouth, Blaise only rolled his eyes and crosses his arms with a lazy yet elegant glare.
Theodore was glaring as he was beat red holding his wand towards Blaise as he slowly lowered it as he tried not to pout, “...Typical.” Draco said blandly as he sat on his bed with his teacup in his graceful posture despite looking blandly amused. Blaise wasn’t amused.
Actually he was quite annoyed.
Blaise decided to do something about it as he got up from the floor and walked towards Cale’s bed curtain as he looked like he was about to open then but then the rush to stop him was immediately as Theodore glared at Blaise before Blaise obviously tapped his mouth mockingly.
“Don’t. You. Dare, Zabini.” Draco said clutching his teacup as he glared at Blaise as he honestly couldn’t think of something more embarrassing than Cale waking up and hearing them. Hopefully, he didn’t hear any of them. Draco would actually just avadakedavra himself out of embarrassment.
Theodore stood holding Blaise’s wrist before muttering the counter jinx under his breath as Blaise could finally feel his tongue as he it went slack against his teeth as he smirked, “Thank you.” Blaise said sarcastically as he stepped away from Cale’s bed.
“This was fun, gentlemen. But I’m done with this little teasing of Nott, as fun as it was-” Draco said casually as he set down his teacup on his nightstand by his desk as he pulled the soft weighted blanket off the bed and slipped in, “Hey!” Nott quickly interjected trying to save some of his dignity as he was flushed red but Draco continued anyway.
“-I want peace and quiet, good night. Merlin knows someone needs their beauty sleep.” Draco said as he pulled the sheets with him and clearly looked at Nott who glared at Draco but didn’t say anything as he went to his own bed. “That’s what I thought-” Blaise smugly said under his breath but just enough for Nott and Draco to hear as Nott snapped his head to Blaise who promptly went to his bed.
Draco though trying to keep a bland demeanor couldn’t help but snort before he drew the curtains of his bed as the lights slowly blew out, the one by Draco’s. Theodore’s curtains closed, then the light by Theodores, leaving Blaise. Blaise goes to his bed and pulls the curtain, and then Blaise’s light went out.
The light disappearing with the ring of the curtain closing, darkness drapes over the room as silence poured like water as the room drifted into sleep. The dark waters outside their room shifted as the stillness never lasted.
A pair of glowing yellow eyes the looked upon the room from the dark depths of the water, just like a flicker of light they disappeared.
The night went on as their stillness went uninterrupted as the sun chases the moon, colors of the night clashing the the dull light of the sun with light purple and dark blues that mixed together as if dancing as the sun brought a sky of pure blue to bring the morning dew.
With the sun Cale opened his eyes slowly as consciousness washed over him, he rose from his bed and opened the curtains, and slipped on his slippers as he touched the floor. Cale digs through his trunk and takes out soft velvet robes and slips them on for the morning, the earrings still hung from his ears which did surprise him.
Did he forget about them? Was he that tired? He must have not slept on his side if he hadn’t felt them while he was sleeping. Cale sighed as he then remembered those cufflinks that he brought with him, he shuffled around his bed before finding the box that had the ying and yang motif cat cufflinks. A familiar feeling of warmth and airy light feeling washed over him giving him a comforting sensation that made him smile softly.
The feeling was warm and he stood there simply soaking in the warmth before he exhaled with a little smile as he got ready for the day and braiding his hair in an intricate design that took 30 minutes. Cale was in a good mood, it was odd but he was ignoring that nagging feeling of being responsible and just letting himself be a little fussy with his hair since he was handsome he can be a little vain at least for today.
Cale finally finished as he gave himself a little smile in the mirror as he admired himself in the mirror, the mirror reflection reanimates as it looks at himself then at Cale before it flushes bright red and only gives a shy thumbs up. Why was the reanimation so flushed? Cale couldn’t help but look close as if to examine reanimation version of himself’s expression.
How could a reflection reanimation be shy? Cale couldn’t help but wonder if the mirror could be sick or even have a fever, it could be? It was the wizarding world almost anything is possible, so what’s to say a mirror can be sick? Cale had to urge to see if the glass would be cool or warm under his touch, and so he tested it.
Surprising to no one it was cool against the touch but that didn’t stop the reflection from squirming as it looked away flustered. Cale would have to ask or look up if it was possible for charmed mirrors and/or reflections to get sick, that would be interesting to know.
As Cale was distracted his ears perked as he then heard some shuffling behind him from one of the boys in the room and so decided to exit the dorm to not interact so early, he honestly couldn’t stand to talk to anyone this early. He needs coffee or at least some tea to wake him up properly.
He takes the messenger back full of his supplies for the day, Friday, it was Friday finally. Never would he thought a day like a Thursday would make him so tired to his bones, he gets why seniors just give up on life once it's their last years. Truly the only relatable emotion that he ever felt. Nonetheless, he’s up and ready for the day.
He exited the dormitory and entered the common room to see it at the most part empty, a slytherin student near the fireplace and then another leaving. Cale was relieved, he made sure his footsteps were quiet as he passed the lounge chairs and sofas and went to the door. When Cale opened the door there was a distinct little meow of a cat, but just any “cat” of course it's not just any cat.
“Human! Good morning!” Raon shouted, which made Cale slightly wince as he looked down to the familiar black cat with unnaturally royal blue eyes that almost looked they were enveloped in darkness. Cale in any case nodded as he bent down to pick up Raon in his arms, “... good morning Raon…” Cale said with a slight sleepy yawn as Raon meowed at Cale and purred.
Raon climbed up to Cale’s shoulder as they continued down the hall and then up the stairs, “Are you still tired Human?” Raon asked while they walked, Cale only nodded in confirmation blinking his eyes more as if to stave off the seductive lull of the comforting warmth that comes with the beautiful serenity of dusk.
“Yes, maybe the chill of dusk can wake me up enough…” Cale said softly as he reached and scratched Raon behind the ear gently which made Raon lean into his touch with a feline purr. They made it up to the base floor of the castle as the chilling wind came subtly as he felt a slight chill, but it wasn’t enough to regret not getting a coat so he continued on trying to find Choi han on his way to the great hall.
Pass the courtyard where he found some students in their clicks chatting among themselves and curiously Cale found himself lingering watching… just watching as they chatted. It reminded him of how his family would seemingly flock to his side and together only to talk about their lives, how they met, how Cale brought them together and helped them.
Cale didn’t help them, he merely pushed them along their original path of healing quicker. He may have even pushed too far, to go too far when they themselves were not ready. He hates that he may have hurt them with the many battles they have fought by his side when he never wanted them to.
They deserve their happiness, they’ve earned it; even when they never needed to earn it.
Cale didn’t know he had lost himself in his thoughts before he heard a familiar voice of who was always there, by his side despite everything. “Cale-nim!” Choi han called out as he jogged over to Cale with a smile as he went to Cale’s side, “Strong Choi han! Good morning!” Raon shouted with childish cheer along with a loud meow that seemed to make Choi han beam at them both.
“Good morning to you too Raon!” Choi han said warmly as he stood on the other side of Cale’s side leaving little to no room between them, “Good morning, Choi han, I hope that yesterday evening treated you well” Cale said warmly as they stood side by side which made Choi han’s smile soften and his shoulders relaxed.
Choi han nodded as Cale started to walk forward with Choi han following side by side as their feet led them towards the great hall, “Well- it went well… Granger, Weasley, and Potter seemed close, I met another as well though a year below: Colin Creevey, he’s a nice boy” Choi han said softly but his eyes seemed to reminisce before speaking again.
“He reminded me of Lock,” Choi han whispered with a tinge of melancholy. Cale should have guessed Choi han would miss home, it makes him want to yell at the God of Death and curse him for bringing Choi han and Raon here when they could’ve been home with their family. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I pulled you along with me.” Cale couldn’t help but mutter as his eyes stayed on the ground. He really was trash.
He is quickly swatted by Raon’s paw, “Stupid human! What are you going on about!” Cale blinked in confusion as Choi han seemed to give Cale pitiful eyes as their shoulders met as Choi han leaned against Cale’s shoulder with sympathy, “You have nothing to apologize for, Cale-nim, I- we would have wanted nothing more than to be by your side” Choi han said as his han caught Cale’s in hand.
“Why do you think you need to?” Choi han said quietly but Cale didn’t respond, “Tell me about you’re time last night, you seemed like you had more to say” Cale said trying to change the subject as Choi han and Raon seemed to look at each other before going back at Cale and gave into Cale’s request.
Choi han went on about the day yesterday with Raon chimed in every now and again to accompany Choi han’s stories.
Cale was grateful not to talk since he really did not feel like it as guilt seemed to build up inside him even when he slightly relaxed. He was glad it was Choi han and Raon who was with him, even if he missed his family back home.
“-they mentioned something about this sport called quidditch and as soon as I asked ‘what was quidditch’ this other boy who I found was Oliver Wood spit his drink and buted into our conversation and explained quidditch along who the friends of Potter, Weasley, and Potter chimed in from time to time about the game and Wood held my shoulders with such intensities for someone so young-”
Choi han went on with his chattering which caught Cale off guard that amused him so much with that image that he made him choke of a laugh and made Choi han pause turning to Cale with a smile as Cale felt awkward and embarrassed with his own action, “Pardon me…”
Cale said as he glanced around to now where they were which was embarrassingly the great hall and felt the embarrassment build inside as he went to the slytherin table and Choi han absently followed and sat with Cale. The few students who were in the great hall eyed at Cale and Choi han with interest as whispers spread but Cale decided he didn’t want to acknowledge any of that as he picked up the tea next to him and picked up a croissant.
They ate surprisingly peacefully for a good 15 minutes as Raon tried a few things at the slytherin table enjoying himself. One of the 7th year slytherin finally spoke up as she gave a scorning look towards the pair of them, “Why is a bloody Gryffindor sitting at the Slytherin table. Go sit with you’re kind you filthy MUDblood.”
She said with an almost disgusted look as he looked towards not only Choi han with disgust and repulsed but also Cale with just the same. “I may don’t know what that means but I know that’s rude! Rude human!” Raon shouted in Cale’s mind as the small black cat with abnormally deep blue eyes hissed at the older student with a protective flare.
Cale wanted to throw himself into the lake.
As much as he loved this whole interaction, he was tired, and did not want a fight. Purebloods and their very elitist views and blatant racism was almost forgotten, maybe the nostalgia drugged him up enough not to see the flashing red flags. Cale really only had his self to blame.
Choi han knew an insult when he heard one. Even with being unfamiliar he was sure that it was very wrong to tell anyone they had mud for blood instead of actualy blood. It irrationally made Choi han mad. He wasn’t sure why… but he couldn’t stand it.
Choi han abruptly stood up spilling and making a loud clinking sound. Choi han looked as if he was going to lunge at the boy with a seething and aggressive look in his dark eyes that resembled burning coal ready to crack, “Choi han.” Cale said in a low and controlled tone of voice as Choi han froze before looking back at Cale. “None of that. Not now, we’ll be taking our leave.”
Cale stood up as his heart beating like a drum in his chest and his body was getting hot.
His ears were ringing with voices.
GO CHOI HAN!
YEAH **** EM’ UP! HAHAHAHA!
LET ME AT EM’!
Sob- sob- Cale don’t get hurt… sob
This will not ******* stand.
Why can’t you all be normal.
DROWN THEM IN A SEA OF ******* FIRE! HAHAHAHA!
This is why we can’t have nice things.
Cale’s ears were ringing with the voices of the ancient powers and he swiftly made his way out of the great hall with Choi han in tow as they strode through the halls in silence before Cale abruptly and Choi han almost bumped into him, “Are you hurt Cale-nim-?”
Cale took a deep breath as he turned to Choi han, “I’m fine, why wouldn’t I?” Cale said in a seemingly calm response which Choi han interpreted as distress and denial, “Cale-nim…” Choi han said softly with sympathy, “Human… are you sad?”
Raon’s voice came through a little hesitantly and Cale softened by the question but shook his head anyway, “Let’s get to class, we share our next class, let’s go” Cale decided to ignore the “irrational” questions of his companions.
Classes went on calmly, with Choi han and Cale sharing a charms class before Choi han had to go on his own to Muggle studies since Cale had a free period till lunch where they shared double Runes together before dinner was upon them. Cale didn’t care to interact with the petty Slytherins that wanted attention when him and Choi han worked together.
Honestly, Cale thinks it's ridiculous and he thinks his house has come to be malicious due to his companionship with Choi han for being a Gryffindor. It didn’t help that Choi han always seemed to be giving such a vicious glare every time a student makes a passing comment, the courageous of protagonist knows no bounds.
Cale was dreading the day where it was the next Defence Against the Dark Arts session because he knew what was ahead of him, it was going to be a toll of his slacker life. One would think it that damned God of Death was praying on his downfall, or more accurately his slacker life’s downfall.
As they made it to the classroom they came into a sea of robes of red and greens, parter by an invisible line that separated them. Cale gently guided Choi han through the crowd as they quietly made it to the front. “Ah Mr. Henituse, Mr. Choi, it’s wonderful that you have chosen to show up. What great timing as well” Remus said with some scolding tone which seemed to be somewhat for show but did seem glad to see them in class.
“Thank you for the kind words Mr. Lupin” Cale said casually but slightly more bright with some elegant charm as he and Choi han took their seats near the front, “You’re welcome, now let us get properly started now that for the most part, everyone is here-” A loud BANG interrupts his words as he slightly grimaces but smooths out his expression as he lets his hand lead to the closet that made such a violent rattling noise.
“I suppose our “guest” as begun to be impatient, then shall we introduce our subject: The Boggart” Remus said with professional sarcasm as brought the boggart to attention as he stood in front of the closet and looked over the class.
“Intriguing yes? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what’s inside?”