Kim Taehyung and the Puzzling Professor
The hot summer nights slowly faded into cool fall mornings, the sun burning away all traces of bright green for warm browns and reds. The school grounds were beautiful, and Taehyung loved every second of it. Now that it was fall, his favorite things to do were to go to Hogsmead with Jimin and Jungkook, read with Namjoon in the library, and bake pies with the house elves in the kitchen. It was just such a happy time, with so little stress-
“Taehyung have you finished your scroll for potions?”
“Tae, can you help me practice my charms homework?”
“When are you turning in toad choir registration?
“Plans for the holidays?”
“Tae, what Quidditch games are you going to watch?”
Collapsing in his bed, Taehyung tiredly stared up at the yellow drapes and plant covered ceiling. It was rare he had moments like this to simply relax, and he had to enjoy them while they still were there. He knew as soon as Christmas would come around, he’d only get busier. Toad choir would start, midterms, family trips, gift shopping, and Jimin and Jungkook would be bored seeing as Quidditch would be done by then. For now, they were distracted, with little time for pranks or hanging out. But Taehyung knew, all in due time.
Thanksgiving break was in a week, and Taehyung had a lot of things to get done before he could go home to see his family. No doubt his little siblings would by dying to see him, play with his wand, touch his hair, and just be all around muggles about everything. It didn’t bother him though, he loved his family. He doesn’t want to be a pureblood wizard, far too many rules and expectations. Namjoon told him all about his family, how everyone hates each other and how fake it all is. Taehyung would hate that, and he really didn’t believe in hating anything.
“Taehyung? Come on, dinner is in ten minutes-” Damon Ferguson, another Hufflepuff second year said. “We’re not supposed to be late, the Headmistress has announcements.”
“Okay, okay,” Taehyung groaned, sliding out of bed and into some clean robes. These announcements better be worth the nap he didn’t get to have.
The castle was decorated inside and out with great pumpkins, fall leaves, turkeys, basically everything fall. They had reused the Halloween decorations, which Taehyung was happy to see.
Halloween was fun this year. Jimin and Jungkook were getting along notably well, both boys seemed to have forgotten their bet about Jungkook being seeker (he easily got the spot, and Jimin didn’t say a single word). Taehyung chose not to go home, figuring he’d see his family during Thanksgiving, which he was glad he chose. The Halloween feast was magnificent, and he even got to help make it in the basements. The house elves were incredibly grateful Taehyung knew how to peel potatoes, and he even got Jungkook and Jimin to join. Jungkook was a perfect dishwasher, and Jimin his loyal dish-dryer (Jimin was rather grumpy about the whole ordeal, but once again, refrained from commentary).
Quidditch didn’t start until the beginning of November, with a long awaited match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Jungkook and Jimin had never been at each other’s throats so badly, and Taehyung just wished they would get a room already, because this was getting ridiculous. They could not make it through a single conversation without arguing and trash talking one another, and the teachers even started noticing. Hagrid had to tell them off for fighting in front of the bowtruckles, scaring them back into their shelters and ruining the activity.
When the match finally did come about, Taehyung chose to wear his favorite Christmas scarf, both green and red, so no one would be mad. Turns out, it made everyone mad, and Taehyung had to take the scarf off.
Namjoon joined Taehyung to watch the game, and Taehyung had to explain all the rules and regulations to him. Namjoon said he never bothered coming to a game, seeing as Yoongi didn’t want him watching, and because he really didn’t have anyone to watch. Taehyung thought it was sweet Namjoon cared enough to come watch, but a small part of him worried Namjoon still just felt bad for Jungkook and what he did to him.
Seokjin was the announcer for the match, and he did an excellent job in Taehyung’s opinion. Sure, he made a few. . . pointed comments about the Slytherin Keeper’s attitude and rude gestures on the field, but other than that, it was a wonderful match. Slytherin ended up winning only by a hair, 160-150. Jungkook caught the snitch about an hour in, while Jimin ran point by point through the Gryffindor keeper. It truly was a race, and everyone in the stands could feel the competitive air between the two. Shockingly enough, a crowd favorite emerged that no one expected.
Min Yoongi.
The ‘Ice Prince’, or the rude and cold Slytherin fifth year Keeper did not let a single quaffle pass through his hoops. Although Jungkook won the snitch, and Jimin scored ridiculous points, no one compared to the raw talent Yoongi showed. Taehyung never really was one for Quidditch (the brooms just didn’t like him), but he had immense respect for the players. He had seen Yoongi play last year, but something about the way he played this year was different, like he had found a new love in it.
The school also found ‘new love’ within Yoongi, because he was appointed Prefect. No one saw it coming (though Tae did hear Jin whispering about it in the halls), so it was a real shock when Headmistress McGonagall called him out at dinner back in September. She said it was for his “immensely caring and protective nature, interest and participation in the school, and an all around admirable character”. She appointed him Prefect of Slytherin house immediately, making him the only Prefect in his house. He had no chance to deny or refuse the title, and was told to sit down as soon as she was done announcing it. Taehyung heard through rumors Yoongi tried to revoke the title, but there was an issue with his request never reaching the Headmistress or something like that.
Namjoon said all Yoongi did for a week was mope about, angry and annoyed with his newfound responsibilities. But lately, he’d been using them to the fullest. Yoongi could often be seen roaming the halls, taking points from other houses for no reason, but mainly because he ‘felt like it’. Jin was beyond annoyed with him, and he was even starting to attract Dawon’s attention. Something told Taehyung that Yoongi had absolutely no desire to be Prefect, and he wanted Dawon to kick him out.
Namjoon would never respond whenever Taehyung asked, so he figured it was correct.
Taehyung wanted to ask Yoongi himself, and he tried, he really did, but Yoongi seemed to avoid their friend group. He thought it was rather odd, why wouldn’t he like them? Jungkook practically worshiped Yoongi for saving him, Jimin didn’t flirt with him anymore, and Namjoon was his best friend, so why wouldn’t he respond to Taehyung’s study session invites?
Perhaps Yoongi simply didn’t study.
Taehyung understood that. He seemed like the guy who didn’t study.
But still. . . Taehyung wanted to know the guy.
Walking to the Great Hall for dinner, Taehyung tried to think of ways to get Yoongi to respond to him. Bump into him? Fall on him? All reasonable options, but too cliché. He wanted Yoongi to be friends with him, not hate him. Maybe he just needed to conveniently put himself everywhere in Yoongi’s life, so he couldn’t ignore him.
Taehyung peeked over the many heads of students as he walked into the Great Hall, hoping to see the dark head that sat at the end of the Ravenclaw table. He saw Namjoon, sitting alone, but no Yoongi. Scanning the room, Taehyung frowned. Yoongi wasn’t at his own table, nor Namjoon’s, he was simply not at dinner. Odd.
“Students! Please take your seats so the announcements may begin!” Headmistress McGonagall called, and the room quieted. “As you all know, Thanksgiving break and midterms are approaching, so please keep up your studies and remember if you’re leaving to fill out the request form. On more pressing matters-” McGonagall waved her hand to a stranger standing off to the side. “We will be having a guest here at Hogwarts for the next few weeks, Mr.Kim Seokjung. Many of you know him as one of our former Ravenclaw Head Boys, and as brother to one of our current students-” Taehyung caught Jin rolling his eyes a few tables over. “But I expect you to all welcome him. He’s here on orders from the Ministry, and he’ll be subbing in the Defense Against the Dark Arts post while Professor Samantha Jones takes her maternity leave. Have a wonderful feast, and a lovely Thanksgiving.”
The food appeared and everyone began digging in, stuffing their faces with every Thanksgiving food known to man. Taehyung stared blankly at Kim Seokjung, watching how the man chose not to eat as well, but rather scan the crowd, the ceiling, windows, doors, as if nothing was known or safe.
“Hoseok? Do you know Professor Kim?” Taehyung elbowed Hoseok, who was busy shoving a whole turkey leg in his mouth.
“Hmph? Profmpheffor Fim? Yeaf-” Hoseok swallowed. “I’ve visited Jin’s family a few times over Christmas, where he’s been there. Real quiet, thoughtful type. Never heard him speak more than one sentence at a time. He graduated two years before I was a first year I think, so it beats me how his grades were, but knowing Ravenclaws and that family, I can’t imagine he didn’t do well.”
“He’s quiet though? Why would he be subbing for Professor Jones then? Is he even a teacher?”
“No, from what I remember, he’s an auror actually.”
“An auror?”
“Yeah, worked with Jungkook’s brother before-uh, you know,” Hoseok mumbled, looking away. Taehyung frowned, eyeing the auror-now-professor a little closer. What would an auror be doing subbing? And an experienced auror at that?
“Don’t you think that’s a little odd?” Taehyung asked.
“What you mean?” Hoseok said, stuffing his face with more turkey. Taehyung sighed, and looked at his own food, starting to pick at his corn.
“Never mind. It’s nothing. You’re probably just thinking about Quidditch right now anyway.”
“Sorry Tae, but it’s true. We’ve got that match against Ravenclaw tomorrow, and I need it to go well.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Taehyung murmured, side eyeing Professor Kim as he blankly scanned the students, hand never leaving the wand on his lap.