Chapter One
One look at the student body of Hogwarts, and you will notice joy, happiness, and friendship. But that’s all everyone on the outside see’s. No one besides those on the inside see what truly lies behind the laughs and smiles of the students. The hatred that bubbles, jealously, maybe it’s just hormones. The bullying was horrendous, no one stopping it as boys and girls cladded in red and gold walked about on their high horses, believing they were superior. So much for the snakes being the self-centered, entitled ones of the school.
Yuta Nakamoto was neither a red and gold cladded egotistical ass, or a ruthless, slithering snake, he was what most would refer to as a nerd. His blue, bronze lined robes and sweaters were the symbol of arrogance and intelligence his house represented, which the others despised. Being a Ravenclaw gave him a target, he was the one the others would ruthlessly bumbard if they needed help, giving him no choice but to do as they say. Especially, when the golden boy’s of Gryffindor threaten to ruin their lives, and being as smart as Yuta was he knew those threats were bound to be worse than just doing as they asked.
He was a sixth year, only one more year before he was finally free of this hell that was supposed to be the best years of his life. Yuta was not alone, even if he felt as if he was. Doyoung Kim and Sicheng Dong, fellow bronze eagles, were the closest humans he could consider friends. And even then, neither were keen on speaking outside of classes. They did eat together, and study together, but none spoke.
But for an odd reason, today, as Yuta sat down beside Sicheng, Doyoung across from them hummed to gather their attention. “Have you heard?” He whispered, his eyes glistening with interest, Yuta only ever saw that glint when a professor let them create their own potions in advanced Potions. Both he and Sicheng shake their heads, Doyoung just smirks as he sips his pumpkin juice. “We have new students coming today, and supposedly, one is Youngho Seo.” he whispered. Sicheng seemed shocked at the name, while Yuta felt his head spin as he tried to pinpoint where he had heard that name before.
“Youngho Seo?” Sicheng whispered back, “As in the son of the Minister for Magic who was murdered right before his own eyes, because Death Eaters believed that his son was the reincarnation of Lord Voldimort.” Yuta held back his shock, he had known that the late minister had been killed by death eaters, but was not aware of the reason.
“The very one.” Doyoung sighed, looking around, “I’m surprised they’re even allowing him here, he’s going to be treated like a criminal.” The collective silence that followed only made the mood more strange. After a few moments, the Great Hall fell silent, making everyone look for the reason.
Yuta’s first impression of Youngho Seo was that the boy was tall, and he had an ora that oozed, “holier than thou” which made the hairs on the back of his neck stand as he made eye contact with the dark haired boy cladded in green and silver. By Youngho’s side was Ten, who is in the same year as Yuta, and was known for being from a family of former Death Eaters. Ten walked towards the Slytherin table, having Youngho follow slowly behind as the hall erupted into whispers.
Sicheng sipped his juice quietly, “That boy will have a rude awakening.” he stated. Yuta couldn’t disagree more with that statement, he was more so ready to see what this new student would do to the dynamics of Hogwarts. Maybe someone would finally knock the Gryffindors off their high horses. He could only wish, as his eyes stared down the boy unknowingly. “Any more interesting transfers?” Sicheng asked, Doyoung chewed his bread slowly, swallowing before answering.
“I was told only of one other transfer, his name is Kunhang Wong.” Doyoung hummed, tapping his mouth clean of any crumbs. “He is the son of the Headmaster of Mahoutokoro, supposedly he was transferred to Hogwarts because he disgraced the family by using dark magic. It got him expelled, so now Hogwarts has taken him, as of the ministry’s demand.” Doyoung whispered, his eyes scanning the room, “I have no clue what house he’ll end up in…” he rolled his eyes as he spoke sarcastically. Sicheng giggled at the comment.
Yuta couldn’t help the frown that etched itself onto his face. Doyoung and Sicheng said nothing as Yuta stood, walking away towards the exit of the great hall. It wasn’t that the conversation upset him, but the topic made him think. He couldn’t seem to understand why all of a sudden two students with dark pasts have come to Hogwarts at the same time, and are bound to be in the same house. Yuta believed in fates and destinies, but the situation at hand seemed too scripted to be true.
Rushing down to the dungeons was never fun, especially when classes were just starting for the year. Yuta felt his lungs heave helplessly as he took his last step off the staircase, maneuvering around the huddles of first years complaining about Professor Hyukjae and how Potions was too difficult, he could feel his eyes rolling to the back of his head at the ignorance of gryffindors, first years or not. His strides were long and confident as he reached the Potions classroom just as the clock struck 9:00.
Professor Hyukjae looked at the ravenclaw with very little care as he motioned for him to find a seat. Yuta bowed silently as he took the closest empty seat to the front, which so happened to be right in front of the professor’s desk. He carefully placed his belongings down, and pulled out his advanced potions book, eyes never glancing at who was seated beside him.
Professor Hyukjae perused the students silently before clearing his throat, “Madam Sunye needs a restuck on Draught of Peace and Draught of Bliss, so today we are starting with Draught of Peace. All ingredients and needed material is in the room, and the page in the book is 56, please do full it correctly or else it could cause toxic fumes.” Professor Hyukjae stared down the students before motioning for them to start. Yuta turned to page 56, gathering his cauldon and other tools, beginning to wash them quickly using hexes.
A soft, low cough to the ravenclaws right made Yuta remember he was not by himself. He looked up, ready to tell the student to gather the ingredients for the potion, but stopped dead in his tracks as he stared straight into the dark orbs of Youngho Seo.
The Slytherin boy smiled at the shocked expression on Yuta’s face. “Would you like me to gather ingredients?” Youngho asked politely, Yuta nodded silently as he watched the boy stand, walking away. Yuta shook himself to focus, he needed to pay attention or else the potion would not work.
After a few moments, Youngho had returned with the needed ingredients, placing them in the middle of the table. Yuta quietly prepared the potion, only motioning for the other boy to cut up the mandrake root. Once the potion was finished, and Professor Hyukjae smiled happily at the bubbling solution, Yuta started to clean the used tools. He could feel the burning gaze of his seatmate as he was writing down the process and results of today’s class.
Youngho’s deep voice pulled Yuta’s attention as he said, “You seem to know who I am, but I don’t know you. What’s your name?” The ravenclaw could feel the hairs on the back of his neck raise. Youngho leaned back in his chair, a charming smile laced across his lips as he stared at Yuta.
“My name is Yuta Nakamoto, and actually I don’t know you. I’ve only heard of you today at breakfast.” He mumbled as he packed up his belongings, standing. “I could care less what the rumors say about you.” Youngho raised an eyebrow at the comment as he watched Yuta walk out of the classroom. Interesting, Youngho thought, his smile turning sinister as he stood up. He bowed to the teacher before leaving the room, walking further into the dungeons.
Whispering “alstroemeria”, Youngho stepped into the slytherin common room, the walls returning back to normal behind him. He smiled kindly at Irene who waved at him from her spot on the couch by the fireplace. His eyes scanned the room, before he be-lined to the stairs leading to the 4th year dormitories. Without knocking, he entered a room. He glanced at the empty beds, before a boy with jet black hair in a bun was in his eyesight. The boy was seated on the window sill, frowning. “Kunhang”, he spoke up, the boy’s head lazily turned to look at Youngho for a moment, before he turned back to the window, where the sun’s rays were shining a beautiful hue onto his porcelain skin.
“Who?” Kunhang whispered, as he closed his eyes. Youngho waited as the boy silently stood up, eyes opening slowly. “Who am I assigned to?”
Youngho hesitated, biting his lip unknowingly. “Yukhei Wong, also known as Lucas. He’s a gryffindor.” he whispers, so no one passing could hear them. Youngho didn’t miss how the life in Kunhang’s eyes died a little more as he nodded. A single touch of Kunhang’s finger to his wrist, made Youngho turn to walk away, leaving the boy.
“Youngho?” he called out, making the older boy stop. “Why were we chosen?” He asked, a shaking tone to his words qued the elder that the boy was on the verge of crying. “Why do we have to do this?” Youngho just lowered his head, walking out of the room. Leaving Kunhang to wallow in his agony alone.