Mysterious Ways
Pairing: Baekhyun/Kyungsoo
Length: 8700
Rating: PG
Summary: Asking his ex-boyfriend's arch-rival to the Yule Ball had seemed like a good idea, but as usual, things don't work out as planned.
Notes: Written for the 2015 round of Exolliarmus. Originally posted here.
Disclaimer:The celebrities' names/images are merely borrowed and do not represent who the celebrities are in real life. No offense is intended towards them, their families or friends. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this fictional work. No copyright infringement is intended.
Sehun spares him a brief glance. “That’s the worst idea you’ve had yet.”
The year of the Triwizard Tournament, activity rapidly floods the Hogwarts grounds. Hallways, normally occupied by the reluctant shuffle of students and professors on their way to class, are suddenly brimming with life - foreign student nominees, Ministry personnel, judges, security, press. The Hogwarts students are thrilled by the chaos, for the most part. Everyone loves a good commotion, especially when they don’t have to be involved. The First and Second Tasks flash by, accompanied by fervent campaigning, the usual exchange of gossip and conspiracy theories. Tabloid reporters watch from the sidelines, eavesdropping and drafting sensational headlines.
A week before Christmas, Professor Snape summons the fourth to seventh-year Slytherin students to a combined briefing.
“I have to inform you that as part of the tradition of the Triwizard Tournament, all fourth to seventh-year students will be required to attend a Yule Ball. While this might seem ... frivolous, and a waste of time and resources, I’m afraid that the people who conceived the Tournament decided that making a spectacle of ourselves should be established as important tradition.
And so protect tradition we will. There are only two things you have to take note of - first, there will be dancing. All students are expected to partake. Second, you are expected to come with a partner.”
Seated in the first row, Do Kyungsoo, fifth-year, groans inwardly.
Professor Snape lets the seventh-year Slytherin prefects, Shim Changmin and Jessica Jung, take over to demonstrate the various dance routines. Soon after, the students are dismissed, and rise to file out of the Potions Classroom.
In the hallway, Oh Sehun falls in alongside Kyungsoo.
“Do they really have to put us through this?” Kyungsoo is taken aback by how whiny his voice sounds.
Next to him, the tall, blond fourth-year shrugs. “A party’s a party, even if it’s a school thing.”
“That’s not the issue.” Kyungsoo’s book bag slides down his shoulder, and he hitches it up reflexively. The mere mention of dates, or partners, has the bile rising from his stomach.
“I know, I know.” Sehun smiles in what was probably an attempt to look placating, but just comes across as patronising. He pats Kyungsoo on the shoulder reassuringly. “You’re hung up on the date thing. Relax, you can just ask a third-year. I’m sure all of them are dying to go.”
“There’s no way I’m showing up with a third year. Park Chanyeol would never let me live it down.”
“Why give a fuck what he thinks?”
Kyungsoo is quiet.
“You can’t still have feelings for him?”
Kyungsoo shoots him a glare in response. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I can’t see any other reason why you - never mind.”
Kyungsoo decides to let the comment slide. “I need to think of something that will really infuriate him,” Kyungsoo says speculatively. “If I just had a chance with one of the Beauxbatons girls.”
“I’m pretty surprised, Soo. I never knew you had this streak in you.”
“What streak?”
“This vengefulness.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t like the teasing note in Sehun’s voice. “I don’t have a vengeful streak. I just really dislike Park Chanyeol.”
“Whatever you say.” Sehun shrugs. “Just don’t get your hopes too high with the Beauxbatons girls - or guys. I’d hate to see you get rejected again.”
By dinnertime Kyungsoo has a new plan. “I’m going to ask Byun Baekhyun to the ball,” he tells Sehun.
Sehun spares him a brief glance. “That’s the worst idea you’ve had yet.”
“I think he’ll annoy Park the most.” Kyungsoo chews slowly on roast beef, his eyes searching the Gryffindor table for his target.
Kyungsoo hears Baekhyun before he sees him. He’s standing on the bench, shouting across the room to the Hufflepuff table, where sixth-year prefect Kim Junmyeon is holding court. Kyungsoo can’t really decipher what the conversation is about, though he does hear something about a lost bet and Acromantula droppings. Baekhyun is, as usual, completely carried away, his voice loud and blaring, his pale face flushed and contorted with laughter.
Kyungsoo tries not to, but he lets his gaze wander a few seats down the table. Park Chanyeol is seated with his back to the table, large square-framed glasses perched on his nose, saying something to a tall blond Hufflepuff who’s always looked slightly intimidating even to Kyungsoo - Kim Junmyeon’s right-hand man, Kris Wu. They’re with two students from Durmstrang - one of them being Kim Jongin, the Durmstrang Triwizard champion. Kim Jongin’s something of a celebrity - he’d been one even before becoming Triwizard champion, famous in artistic circles as a performer, a prodigal dancer. As Kyungsoo watches, Chanyeol’s eyes crinkle and he doubles over with laughter, shaking his long fringe out of wide, innocent eyes.
Kyungsoo hates the way the laughter takes over Chanyeol’s face. He hates how Chanyeol can be so happy, while he still feels the hurt like a freshly salted wound. He hates the way Chanyeol looks so deceptively harmless and friendly, like a large puppy, when his real personality couldn’t be further from that.
He thinks back to the early days of their relationship, when he was still being pursued by the giant oaf. Back then he’d thought it was intense and passionate, like they’d connected on a psychological level that was above fanciful gestures and anniversaries, but now he realises that their lack of romance was probably because their relationship was just a casual fling for the other guy. Kyungsoo was by no means needy or clingy, but Chanyeol had never made an effort to integrate Kyungsoo into his circle of friends. He’d cancelled dates to hang with other friends, invented excuses whenever Kyungsoo asked him out, then expected Kyungsoo to drop everything and go whenever he wanted to meet.
Kyungsoo had bitten down and endured for several months, because in spite of everything, he really was fond of the guy - he was interesting, rich, smart, handsome - what else could a guy want, right? But there had come a stage when he couldn’t take it any longer and finally confronted Chanyeol. And Chanyeol had just shrugged and said in his self-assured way that he didn’t think this relationship was working out for him. For him. He’d said Kyungsoo was unexciting, that he felt hankered down, that he could use a break. Like he hadn’t already spent the entire duration of their relationship casting his eyes around, flirting with other people right in Kyungsoo’s face.
Better alone than in bad company, Kyungsoo tells himself. He knows there’s no point in dragging on an unhealthy relationship. He’s been surprisingly calm since the breakup - maybe the “depressed” part had yet to settle in. But try as he might, he can’t just leave the guy alone. Not after all the pain he’s still going through. Maybe it’s residual feelings manifesting as bitterness, but Kyungsoo knows is that he can’t just let this go. He wants to, needs to do something.
“Found a date yet, Soo?” Yixing asks sympathetically. He flicks the wand in his hand lazily, watching his oriental patterned teacup slowly flatten out and grow legs. They’re sitting out by the lake, bundled up in their winter cloaks after double Transfigurations, Slytherin and Ravenclaw combined. It’s chilly out, but Kyungsoo doesn’t mind the cold. The vast lawn would normally be empty at this time of year, but now the Durmstrang ship is anchored in the lake, and groups of Kim Jongin’s fangirls can be spotted hanging around the gangway, hoping to steal a glimpse of the heartthrob.
Kyungsoo hasn’t told anyone but Sehun about his plans. “No, not yet. What about yourself?”
“I haven’t asked, but I’ve got someone in mind.”
“Oh yeah?” Kyungsoo’s a little interested, but keeps his tone noncommittal.
“Yup. Luhan.”
“That Luhan?” Kyungsoo’s eyes widen. “No offence, but you think you stand a chance?”
Yixing grins crookedly. “We have some things in common.”
Kyungsoo sighs. “You didn’t.”
Yixing keeps grinning.
“You didn’t offer him illegally purveyed alihotsy.”
Yixing laughs. “He’s quite the vixen when he’s high.”
Kyungsoo shakes his head, eyeing the badge on Yixing’s cloak. “How did a guy like you end up a prefect?” It’s almost dusk, and the sky is slowly fading to pink. It’s getting pretty cold, and they’ll have to go in soon, but for now he’s enjoying the (relative) serenity and the cold wind.
“PARK CHANYEOL!”
A loud, grating voice - unmistakably Byun Baekhyun’s - cuts through the quiet. Kyungsoo straightens up and whips his head around, scanning the area. Baekhyun is striding briskly across the open lawn, his red-gold hair glinting in the late afternoon sun. He’s chasing after Park Chanyeol, who’s walking leisurely ahead, his long legs giving him the advantage over Baekhyun.
Baekhyun breaks into a light jog and catches up to Chanyeol. He grabs hold of the taller’s coat and forces him to a halt, a short distance behind the tree Kyungsoo and Yixing are leaning on. “Stop. Listen to me.”
Chanyeol rolls his eyes and sighs. “What now?”
“You know what.”
Kyungsoo glances at Yixing and raises a finger to his lips, warning him to stay quiet. Yixing eyes him quizzically, but he’ll think of an excuse later.
“Byun, it’s not my fault Kibum can’t take a bloody joke. If he didn’t have to be such a drama queen about the whole thing, nobody would’ve gotten hurt.”
Baekhyun seethes. “You stuffed what, twenty Flobberworms down his shirt. Anybody would’ve been traumatised.”
“Didn’t warrant him hexing me in front of McGonagall. That was all him.”
“Go to McGonagall and explain the full situation.”
Chanyeol shakes his head. “Why the hell would I do that? Byun, that’s not my business.”
“Chanyeol, you know this was your fault.” Baekhyun is suddenly serious, and he’s using his counsellor-voice. “Just take responsibility for once. Kibum’s terrified of the Forbidden Forest. If you just speak to McGonagall, she’ll maybe change his detention to something tamer.”
“Sorry, but I’m doing no such thing.” Chanyeol begins walking away, his footsteps crunching on the frosted earth. Kyungsoo expects Baekhyun to chase after him, but the other boy seems to be still standing behind the tree.
Baekhyun is quiet for a few seconds.
“I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD ON A FUCKING PLATTER FOR THIS!”
Byun Baekhyun, Kyungsoo ponders. In many ways, he’s the complete opposite of Park Chanyeol. He’s a Muggle-born for one, which more traditional Slytherins would steer well clear of, while Chanyeol hails from a well-established, wealthy pure-blooded family. Baekhyun is short and broad-shouldered, with vivid red hair and downturned puppy eyes, while Chanyeol is tall and lanky, dark-haired and almost unsettlingly wide-eyed.
They weren’t quite opposites in terms of personality - both rowdy, brash and obnoxious. Possibly why they’d never gotten along, Kyungsoo thinks. Byun Baekhyun and Park Chanyeol’s enmity was known throughout the school - both parties were fairly high-profile and they made no secret of their rivalry. Kyungsoo can’t count the number of times he’s seen them face off in public; sometimes he thinks they like the extra attention it brings.
There was the time back in first year, when they’d gotten into a fight during flying lesson. Five people (including them both) had ended up in the hospital wing, downing concoctions of Skele-Gro. Then there was third year, when Chanyeol had ended up swinging from the chandelier in the main lobby after a faceoff with Baekhyun and Jongdae. Then there was that time early fourth year, when they’d managed to switch bodies and complete chaos ensued, culminating in both “Baekhyun” and “Chanyeol” racing around the school hallways wearing nothing but diapers, for everyone to see.
Kyungsoo disapproves of Baekhyun, even more than he’d disapproved of Chanyeol before they’d gotten into a relationship. But for all intents and purposes, it’s clear that Baekhyun hates Chanyeol and vice versa - and therefore Baekhyun is the best candidate for what Kyungsoo’s got in mind.
It’s not easy to get Baekhyun alone - he seems to move exclusively in herds of boisterous friends, and different friends each time at that. The next day during combined Herbology, Kyungsoo taps him on the shoulder as they’re cleaning up, re-potting fanged geraniums. “Can I speak to you for a moment after class?”
The redheaded boy looks surprised; he and Kyungsoo rarely speak. He wipes his brow with a forearm, and stray earth crumbles away from slim hands. “Uh, alright. It’s got to be quick though, I have Divination right after this.”
They’re standing outside Greenhouse Three. Baekhyun’s poker face is swathed in greenish light. “I wanted to ask if you’d go to the ball with me.” Kyungsoo makes the proposition carefully, watching Baekhyun’s expression.
The other boy looks awkward for a second and avoids Kyungsoo’s gaze. He coughs and quickly replies. “Sorry, I’m in the school choir. I have to perform at the ball.”
“The choir isn’t performing. I’m in the choir too, have been for four years.”
Baekhyun exhales sharply and raises his gaze. “I know you’re in the choir. Look, I don’t know how to put this across nicely, but I’m not interested in you. We’ve barely talked.”
“I’m not interested in you, either.”
Baekhyun’s lip quirks. “Okay …”
“It’s about Park Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo hadn’t been planning on revealing his intentions, not so soon, but it’s apparent that he’s going to get rejected point-blank otherwise.
“What about that git?” Baekhyun’s voice comes out harsh, and the light in his eyes seems to harden.
“I was dating him until a week ago, I’m not sure if you know.”
“I had no idea. Haven’t seen you with him.”
The comment stings a little. “Yeah. Our relationship wasn’t the greatest. But I want to show him that I’ve moved on. That I’m happy in a new relationship.”
“So why me?” Baekhyun sounds unimpressed.
“You guys hate each other,” Kyungsoo says, his tone matter-of-fact. “Seeing the two of us together at the ball is my best bet at making him angry.”
“Don’t you think this is rather childish of you?”
Kyungsoo shrugs. “I guess. But at this juncture I’m kind of beyond caring. You hate him too, don’t you? Wouldn’t you like to see him jealous and frustrated?” Baekhyun doesn’t answer for a few seconds, and Kyungsoo can see that he’s thinking about it. “Unless you’ve got someone else you really want to ask to the dance, of course.”
Baekhyun considers. “It does sound appealing,” he relents finally. He ignores Kyungsoo’s other questions.
“So you’ll do it?”
“I’ll ... think about it.”
Christmas arrives, blanketed in snow, and Kyungsoo heads to the grand stairway to meet Baekhyun as agreed. A steady stream of students and staff pours into the toasty warmth of the entryway, a hundred fabrics and textures and people dressed in their finest, a hundred voices echoing off the stone walls. Kyungsoo hasn’t been waiting long when he sees Baekhyun approaching, accompanied by a group of Gryffindor sixth-years. Kyungsoo straightens from his position against the wall, and Baekhyun catches his eye, waving with one hand.
“Hi, you look uh, nice.” Kyungsoo eyes him up and down. Baekhyun has put in some effort - his usually floppy red-brown hair gelled back dramatically, dark kohl around his eyes. The torches clamped to the walls illuminate his skin a subtle, glowing gold. “What’s up with the eyeliner though?”
“I need it. My eyelids are naturally droopy.” Baekhyun isn’t really looking at him. He glances around, and abruptly starts waving enthusiastically. “Hey, Junmyeon! Waiting for Jongdae?”
Kim Junmyeon, waiting at the foot of the staircase, grimaces back at him. He looks sharp and smart in heavy navy robes that contrast with his pale skin. “He was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.”
“Any idea who Minseok’s going with? I’ve been asking him for days but he won’t say a word.”
Junmyeon shrugs. “Haven’t seen him around in a while. Maybe he doesn’t have a date.”
“No way, Minseok has more game than that. Hey, Taeyeon! You look particularly fine today.” Baekhyun winks flirtatiously at the girl entering the hall on the arm of a Durmstrang boy.
Taeyeon swats at his head with her free hand as she walks past. “Save it, Byun.”
“You know you love me.”
“Pay attention to your date!” She shouts back.
Kyungsoo looks back and forth between Baekhyun and Taeyeon. “Are you ready to go in?”
“Yeah.” Baekhyun still isn’t looking at him, and on the way from the corridor to the hall he keeps up a steady stream of what-ups, high-fives and hugs.
Eventually, they manage to cross the twenty metres to the doors, and Kyungsoo is amazed by how much the Hall has been transformed. The long wooden benches have been removed and replaced with floating, legless cocktail tables which gleam like they’re made of diamonds. The walls, floor and ceiling are draped with sheer silvers, pale gold and velvet navy, and the front of the hall has been converted into a stage made of interwoven frosted twigs and branches. He walks in with Baekhyun on his arm, feeling slightly self-conscious.
“So, see him anywhere?”
“No. He’ll probably be late anyway, he’ll think it’s fashionable.”
Baekhyun raises an eyebrow. “Wow, you really do hate him.”
Kyungsoo shrugs but refrains from commenting. Across the room, he sees his upperclassman Changmin presenting his date Yoona with a rose corsage, and suddenly feels awkward that he hasn’t prepared anything for Baekhyun. “Would you like to find some drinks?”
“Sure.” Baekhyun starts heading for the refreshments table before Kyungsoo can explain that he’d meant for Baekhyun to take a seat first. He trails after Baekhyun, swerving tall people as Baekhyun stops to talk to just about everybody they pass.
“Kyungsoo!” Kyungsoo turns around to see Yixing.
He waves. “So, no luck with Luhan?”
Yixing looks confused for a moment, then laughs. “Oh, that. I was just kidding about that. There he is, over there.”
Kyungsoo looks in the direction Yixing’s pointing. Luhan’s in the doorway, gliding into the hall like he’s floating. Dressed in all white, with his pale blonde hair and delicate features, there almost seems to be a halo of light around him. Kyungsoo feels an inexplicable pull towards the other male, and he wants to go up to him, to be near him.
“Close your mouth,” Yixing remarks drily. Kyungsoo snaps out of his trance.
“Did I do anything embarrassing?” Kyungsoo hates being around Veela - full or half. He resents the way they take control away from him.
“No, but you were about to.”
Kyungsoo glances to his other side, where Baekhyun is gaping as well. “Is that Minseok?”
Kyungsoo struggles to focus on the shorter figure being overshadowed by Luhan’s radiance. “Yeah, it is.”
“He’s been holding out on us,” Baekhyun says, almost admiringly. He starts making his way over to the couple.
Kyungsoo turns back to Yixing. “So which unfortunate guy did you ask instead?”
At that moment, a pretty underclassman comes up to them with two glasses of something foamy. Yixing stands up and gestures to Kyungsoo. “Sunyoung, this is my friend Kyungsoo. Not sure if you guys know each other.”
The girl smiles somewhat nervously, tucking her fringe behind her ear. Kyungsoo’s been told he has a disconcerting look about him. “We don’t. Nice to meet you.”
Kyungsoo smiles slightly. “Nice to meet you.” Then he looks at Yixing in resignation. “I can’t believe you were kidding about being gay as well. It’s been two years.”
Sunyoung stares at Yixing in confusion, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
“Kyungsoo! You coming over here?” Baekhyun calls, and Kyungsoo redirects himself to the refreshments table.
Baekhyun is standing with Junmyeon and Jongdae. Jongdae looks like he’s got a bird’s nest on his head - presumably he’d styled his hair for the ball.
“So I never got the chance to ask you before. How did this-” Junmyeon gestures between Baekhyun and Kyungsoo - “start? It seems kinda sudden.”
Kyungsoo knows how bad he is at lying, and doesn’t even try. He glances at Baekhyun.
Baekhyun laughs weakly and throws his arm over Kyungsoo’s shoulders. “It wasn’t all that sudden, hyung. We’ve been seeing each other for a while now, cause we’re both in choir and all that, you know.”
Junmyeon nods slowly, but Jongdae raises his eyebrows questioningly.
Kyungsoo forces out a laugh of his own. “Yeah. We agreed to keep it under wraps for a while because it hasn’t been long since my last relationship ended, and I didn’t really want to upset Park - Chanyeol.”
“Yeah, that’s why.”
Kyungsoo stares at Jongdae after his last comment, at a loss as to how to answer.
Fortunately, Professor McGonagall chooses that moment to announce the arrival of the champions and their partners. Everyone pushes towards the centre of the hall, where a red carpet has just been laid out. Baekhyun drags Kyungsoo to a front-line spot.
At the far end of the hall, Professor Flitwick waves his baton, and the musicians start up a grand fanfare. The double doors open, and the first couple enters the hall.
The Beauxbatons champion floats into the hall in a gown of lilac silk, her blonde hair fanning out as she walks. Kyungsoo stares after her as she walks down the aisle, barely noticing her uniform-clad partner escorting her like a bodyguard.
The next champion enters the fray - Kim Jongin, the young Durmstrang champion. Kyungsoo looks at his partner, and suddenly feels his stomach drop.
It’s Chanyeol. He’s standing on Jongin’s right, dressed in royal blue robes. Jongin walks fluidly and aggressively, like a male model, while Chanyeol next to him is casual and nonchalant, like he’s just walking to class or to dinner.
Kyungsoo supposes he should have seen this coming. Kim Jongin had been spending a lot of time with Chanyeol recently.
Still, the blood is pounding in his ears as he watches the couples line up for the opening dance. Kyungsoo barely notices the last champion - Jung Yunho - and his partner Kwon Boa’s entrance. He tries to level his gaze on Luhan standing across the aisle, to focus only on his glow. Is that a flower he’s wearing in his hair? It looks like a magnolia.
He feels Baekhyun, Junmyeon and Jongdae staring at him, but doesn’t want to meet their eyes. He knows he’ll probably find pity there.
When the first song ends, Kyungsoo takes hold of Baekhyun’s wrist immediately. “Come on, let’s dance.” His mind is strangely blank, as though he’s moving on autopilot.
Baekhyun follows him onto the dancefloor as the Weird Sisters take over the orchestra, the bass starting up the power chords of “Do The Hippogriff”. “How awkward is this?”
Kyungsoo is surprised by the way Baekhyun sounds: oddly forced. “Is anything the matter?” He turns to look at Baekhyun, and is shocked to see apprehension in the other boy’s face.
Instantly, Baekhyun rearranges his features into subtle incredulity. “Where’d you get that idea from?”
Kim Jongin brushes past Kyungsoo in all his lean, lithe glory, and Kyungsoo’s heart drops like a lead weight. “Never mind.”
Baekhyun bobs up and down a little, feeling the music, and seconds later he’s dancing hard. Kyungsoo hovers uncertainly next to him, moving half-heartedly. He’s glad for the throng of gyrating bodies all around him, forming a barrier between himself and the seated couples.
“You have to be,” Baekhyun pants, “more, convincing, than, that.”
Focus, Kyungsoo tells himself. This is the Yule Ball and you’re having an amazing time with your date. Park Chanyeol doesn’t exist.
He relaxes his muscles, moves a little, starts to dance. He swings his hips, sways from side to side, lets his arms dangle. He’s even starting to feel relaxed when he realises that Baekhyun has stopped moving and is staring at him, open-mouthed.
“Do you usually dance like that?”
Kyungsoo stops dancing. Baekhyun quickly shakes his head. “No, not saying it was bad or anything … just unusual. Keep going, keep going.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t feel like dancing, especially after that last comment, but he tries to move again. He tries to ignore the irrational feeling of pain and betrayal that’s gripping his heart like a vice. He’d controlled himself so well after the breakup, remained so composed, but it’s as though depression has finally slipped through the denial. He shouldn’t be here. He should be in bed, crying into his pillow. What was he thinking, trying to show Chanyeol up? He can barely look at the guy without completely losing his cool.
The people surrounding him are getting more frenzied, and the floor is vibrating with the jumping and stomping. Kyungsoo’s head swims. The band ups their synthesizer. Kyungsoo’s ears are ringing.
A clammy hand - Baekhyun’s - clamps around Kyungsoo’s wrist and tries to shake him into movement. Kyungsoo shakes his head, but Baekhyun refuses to let go as Kyungsoo pushes blindly through the crowd of sweaty bodies, trying to find a way off the dancefloor.
“Hey, why’d you do that?” Baekhyun protests indignantly. Kyungsoo ignores his comments and makes a beeline for a strategically placed Christmas tree, ducking behind the decoration. He bends over slightly and tries to control his breathing.
Baekhyun hovers over him hesitantly. “Hey, you alright?” He bends down to look Kyungsoo in the face and pulls him upright.
“I’m not alright,” Kyungsoo says, regret coursing over every inch of his body. “I can’t believe I thought this would work. I’m not ready to do this.” His words come out rushed and panicked.
Baekhyun is quiet for a beat, then he reaches out and places a hand on Kyungsoo’s shoulder, a gesture of comfort.
“It’s natural to get a little emotional. You did just break up last week.
“But he’s completely fine.”
“That’s because he never took the relationship seriously.” Baekhyun seems to have trouble getting the words out. Kyungsoo wonders if he’s had a bad experience with a relationship, as well. “Emotions aren’t something to be ashamed of, Kyungsoo. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
Kyungsoo looks down. He swallows.
“It’s not worth it.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I know our date is just a farce and all,” Baekhyun ventures. “But we can still have fun, yeah?”
Kyungsoo nods. “Yeah, we can.” He breathes deeply. “I’m sorry I acted out like that. I don’t know what’s come over me.”
Baekhyun pats him on the back. “No worries. Let’s go get some food.”
Kyungsoo heads back out, Baekhyun’s hand reassuring on his shoulder. The rest of the evening is pleasant, though Chanyeol is nowhere to be seen. Kyungsoo is half relieved and half disappointed that his scheme doesn’t seem to be taking effect.
They hang out with Baekhyun’s friends, mostly, because most Slytherins don’t mix too well with Muggle-borns like Baekhyun. Kyungsoo gets harassed by several upperclassmen, who routinely attach themselves to him like leeches, at different points of the evening. They insist on taking photos with him, doing all kinds of strange poses with Kyungsoo as the centrepiece. He’s always been a kind of senior magnet. He looks out for Yixing, but his friend is constantly surrounded by the Durmstrang students he’s been hosting for the past weeks, and Kyungsoo doesn’t want to get close. Jongin might just be somewhere in their midst.
It’s close to midnight when Baekhyun convinces Kyungsoo to return to the dancefloor. Kyungsoo walks out to the front of the hall, warily eyeing the photo booth. Chanyeol, Jongin, Luhan and Minseok are getting a group picture taken. Both Jongin and Luhan are tabloid favourites, and Kyungsoo suspects he’ll see their photo in the papers soon enough.
Baekhyun and Kyungsoo dance the first few songs easily. Out of the corner of Kyungsoo’s eye, he sees Jongin taking a seat right next to the musicians.
But the conductor is soon announcing the last dance of the night, and the band currently playing changes its tune, shifting to a slow jazzy number. A solo saxophone starts out with a heavily embellished riff, soaring and filling the hall. The crowd on the dancefloor begins to thin out, and couples begin swaying slowly in time with the music.
Baekhyun looks at Kyungsoo apprehensively and licks his lips. “Do you wanna sit this one out?”
Kyungsoo makes up his mind. “No, let’s dance this.” Chanyeol is watching - they might as well make the most of the opportunity.
“Alright.” Baekhyun steps forward, and Kyungsoo’s hand finds the gentle curve of his waist. Baekhyun clears his throat and shifts Kyungsoo’s hand upwards to his torso.
“Sorry.” Kyungsoo connects his other hand with Baekhyun’s, and they begin to dance in small circles.
They’re quiet at first, not really looking at each other. There aren’t many people left on the dancefloor, and Kyungsoo’s aware that most of the hall can probably see them. Baekhyun speaks first. “If he sees us, and he definitely can see us right now, we’re pretty much screwed. We look awkward as fuck.”
He’s right, Kyungsoo realises. He turns to look at Baekhyun, who moves out into a spin, breaking the contact.
“Let’s do a more realistic job then,” Kyungsoo says, his voice shaking a little. The music pulls Baekhyun back in, face to face.
“Smile a little,” Baekhyun says. “You look absolutely miserable.”
Kyungsoo tries to think of something happy. The music modulates into another key and Baekhyun switches their hands around, taking the lead.
Sitting out at the lake when dawn is breaking, watching the sunrise. Laid-back acoustic breakdowns. Reuniting with his parents on the platform at the start of summer. Hogsmeade trips with friends, way back when, before he happened.
Yixing and his ridiculous, lame antics. Kyungsoo starts to smile in spite of himself, and when he meets Baekhyun’s eyes on their next turn, Baekhyun is smiling slightly too.
“There you go, you look much friendlier when you smile.”
“I don’t smile a whole lot,” Kyungsoo admits.
“Even better. Park is definitely going to think you’re much happier without him.”
Kyungsoo ignores the mention of Chanyeol, looking over Baekhyun’s shoulder. “Yeah. Thanks, by the way. For agreeing to help me out with this. You might dislike the guy, but you still didn’t have to help me.”
Baekhyun’s expression clouds over momentarily. Kyungsoo wonders if he said something wrong. “It’s no issue. I don’t mind helping out a fellow enemy of Park Chanyeol.”
Baekhyun’s hand tightens around his, his fingers long and slim. Kyungsoo tunes out the faces of the crowd, the noise, the other couples spinning around him. He focuses only on the top of Baekhyun’s red-gold head, the touch of his hand, the slight pressure of Baekhyun’s palm on his back. This is okay, he tells himself. I’m safe.
The music finally begins to fade out, and Kyungsoo loosens his hand from Baekhyun’s, coming to a halt. Baekhyun stands facing him, and for a prolonged moment they’re unmoving.
Baekhyun looks away and coughs. “Check if he’s looking at us.”
Kyungsoo tears his eyes away from the smooth slope of Baekhyun’s neck, and his gaze finds Park Chanyeol and Kim Jongin still locked in their dancing position, at the opposite end of the dancefloor. “There he is.”
Chanyeol’s facing away from them, and he’s looking down at Jongin. As Baekhyun and Kyungsoo watch, Jongin’s face colours prettily and he laughs. His smile is toothy and his eyes form crescents. He looks … cute, a sharp contrast from his usual smouldering gaze.
“He didn’t see a single SECOND of that?” Baekhyun is outraged. “Oh my god.” They both watch in horror as Chanyeol leans down and starts making out with Jongin, right there in the middle of the hall.
The clock chimes midnight, and the musicians take a bow. Recovering from shock, Kyungsoo slowly claps along with the rest of the crowd. All around, people are complaining about how short the ball was, how they wish it could’ve been longer.
Professors begin to direct the stragglers out of the Great Hall. Kyungsoo feels tired and slightly numb as he walks back towards the doors with Baekhyun, ahead of the self-dismantling decorations and self-folding furniture.
Outside, most of the couples begin heading out to the courtyard for a stroll around the grounds. Kyungsoo and Baekhyun walk slowly and silently towards the main staircase, their footsteps muffled on the thick carpet, and they stop where the staircase diverges.
“My common room’s that way,” Baekhyun says, pointing in the direction opposite Kyungsoo’s.
Kyungsoo nods. “I know.”
They’re quiet for a while. The hallway outside the Great Hall is completely empty now.
“So, thanks for tonight,” Kyungsoo finally says. “I had fun.”
“So did I. I think my friends kind of like you.”
“You think so?” Kyungsoo tries to conceal a yawn behind his hand.
“You must be exhausted.”
“I am,” Kyungsoo admits. “I think I’d better go back soon.”
“Have a good rest, then.” Baekhyun lifts a palm.
“You too.” Kyungsoo returns Baekhyun’s parting wave, and they head up their respective staircases.
“Oh, and Kyungsoo?” Kyungsoo turns around. Baekhyun is standing at the top of the stairs, leaning against the railing. The grin on his face is mischievous.
“Yeah?” Baekhyun’s smile is oddly blinding, and for a bewildering moment Kyungsoo gets the urge to shield his eyes.
“I think we need to step up our game.”
Their next chance to put their plan into action comes the following weekend, when the fifth-years have their trip to Hogsmeade. Kyungsoo wraps up heavily in scarves and sweaters and heads out to the courtyard, where he’s agreed to meet Baekhyun.
Most of the students have already headed out. Kyungsoo waits patiently, wondering if Baekhyun had already forgotten their appointment. He’s just about to run for the last tram when Baekhyun and Jongdae finally stagger out into the courtyard, still fastening their cloaks and pulling down their sleeves.
“Sorry we’re late,” Baekhyun pants, hurrying to keep up as Kyungsoo begins brisk-walking towards the station.
Kyungsoo tilts his chin in Jongdae’s direction. “What are you doing here?”
Baekhyun has the grace to look apologetic. “I asked him along. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“I thought this was supposed to be a date.” Kyungsoo feels mildly irritated, though he’s not quite sure why it matters.
“A fake one,” Jongdae reminds him. “So I’m your chaperone. Make sure you two don’t get too carried away.”
“There won’t be a need for that,” Baekhyun cuts in. “Just act as our lookout, tell us when to take action. That’s it.”
“Where’s Junmyeon?” As far as Kyungsoo remembers, Yixing doesn’t have any hosting obligations on Hogsmeade weekends.
“Escort duty. He has to accompany some foreign dignitaries to tour the village.”
“Anyway, so like we discussed,” Baekhyun says to Kyungsoo, “We need Chanyeol to see us snogging. Making out like he and Jongin did at the ball.”
“Right.” Kyungsoo nods. He wonders if they’re being a little desperate, but decides that he is pretty desperate.
No harm getting the ex a little riled up.
“You just want an excuse to snog someone, don’t you?” Jongdae nudges Baekhyun’s shoulder with his own. “I think it’s been over two years since you’ve kissed someone that isn’t your mother.”
“Don’t get all smug just because you’re snogging Junmyeon, in case you forgot, you guys were so awkward around each other that I had to physically hook you up.”
“That’s what you call giving people a casual introduction?”
To Kyungsoo’s annoyance, they keep up the noisy bickering the entire tram journey to Hogsmeade.
Kyungsoo, Baekhyun and Jongdae are the last stragglers out of the tram. By the time they get to Hogsmeade, most of the other students are already in the stores. Kyungsoo follows the duo up the path to the main street, trying to keep his balance as his feet sink knee-deep in snow.
They catch sight of Chanyeol as they’re heading towards the main plaza. He’s accompanied by Kris Wu, towering conspicuously over most of the other students in the plaza.
“There he is. The target. Coming out of Honeydukes.” Baekhyun cranes his neck, trying to look past Kyungsoo.
“Could you be any more suspicious?” Kyungsoo mutters, pulling Baekhyun back behind him. His heart races wildly - this is their moment. “Alright. Now kiss me.”
“Right now?” Baekhyun sounds a little panicked.
Kyungsoo grabs Baekhyun’s head and angles their heads together, not intending to really brush lips. He runs his hands through Baekhyun’s fluffy hair, slightly matted with melting snow, immersing himself fully into his role.
What he doesn’t expect is for Baekhyun to actually meet his lips with his own. In the frigid cold, Baekhyun’s face and lips are warm and slightly dry. Kyungsoo shifts, automatically parting his lips slightly, and Baekhyun quickly takes control, kissing deeply and aggressively, taking Kyungsoo’s lower lip between his.
Kyungsoo starts to feel slightly dizzy from the lack of air. Baekhyun is the one to breaks contact, panting slightly, face flushed. Kyungsoo’s lips are still tingling. He wonders if they’re bruised.
“You guys enjoyed that, didn’t you?” Jongdae comments. “I think I saw some tongue.”
“Why did you even come?” Baekhyun shoves his hands in his pockets.
“Because you begged me to be your wingman?”
Kyungsoo’s still a little shell-shocked, but tries to keep his composure.
“Stay focused, please,” he barks, looping his arm around Baekhyun’s and pulling him in close. “Did he see us?”
“Yeah, pretty sure he did. Eyes falling out of his head and all that.”
Kyungsoo grins internally at the mental image, and Baekhyun seems equally pleased. “So should we head to Zonko’s? Chanyeol seems to be headed there.”
“Guys, I want to stop by Honeydukes,” Jongdae says. “Do we really need to spend our entire day trailing Chanyeol’s every move?”
Baekhyun glances at Kyungsoo, who shrugs. “I’m sure we made our point just now.”
They stop to get sweets at Honeydukes. Jongdae suggests grabbing a drink at the Three Broomsticks, but Baekhyun insists on Madam Puddifoot’s. “It’s way cosier,” he claims. Kyungsoo has never set foot in there all the numerous times he’s visited Hogsmeade.
They set their purchases down on a table near the entrance, and order two pumpkin lattes and one ginger spiced tea.
“People are looking at us funny,” Baekhyun comments.
“We don’t usually hang out with this guy,” Jongdae points out.
“I think they’re just judging you for that.” Kyungsoo stares at the giant jar of cockroach clusters on the table in front of Jongdae.
Jongdae looks affronted. “This stuff tastes better than it looks, alright?”
“Alternatively, it could be the fact that we’re the only people in this entire shop that aren’t a couple.” Kyungsoo looks around them at the couples leaning in close to each other over their neglected teacups, whispering in low voices, making out or gazing lovingly into each others’ eyes.
“Fuck,” Jongdae splutters abruptly. “Is that Zhang Yixing with Luhan?”
Kyungsoo looks over at Yixing and Luhan. They’re seated all the way in the back, right next to the kitchens, and they aren’t cosying up to one another like everyone else in the shop. Yixing is sitting back, his expression spaced out, as Luhan talks quickly and intensely to the teapot, making a speech with no ending. They’ve both got pretty patterned teacups in front of them, but Kyungsoo has a feeling that it isn’t tea they’re drinking.
“I thought Luhan was genuinely interested in Minseok.” Baekhyun sounds disappointed.
“I don’t think they’re on a date here,” Kyungsoo says. He’s met with two pairs of inquiring eyes. He shakes his head. “Never mind.”
Baekhyun laughs and nudges Jongdae. “He knows something. Definitely does. Come on, spill the tea.”
Kyungsoo just looks back over to where Yixing and Luhan are now laughing uncontrollably at nothing. Luhan’s even levitating a little off his seat. “Shouldn’t that be self-explanatory?”
Unprecedentedly, Kyungsoo finds himself continuing with the act for the next several weeks. Baekhyun looks him up shortly after the Hogsmeade trip to share some new “strategies” he’s devised, and Kyungsoo goes along with it against his better judgment.
He finds that he’s spending more time with Baekhyun and the Gryffindors than he’d ever expected to. Before long he barely remembers what their entire charade was for.
“I haven’t seen you at meals for an entire week,” Sehun says to him one evening in the common room. Kyungsoo bends over one of the long iron-wrought tables, double and triple-checking his Potions essay for mistakes. He’d been working on it all afternoon in the library with Baekhyun and Jongdae.
“I’ve been taking my meals outside.” Kyungsoo pauses, and feels the need to explain himself.
“Baekhyun again?” Sehun yawns, but he can’t quite hide the suspicious tone in his voice.
“Obviously. We’re meant to be dating, we need to spend time together.”
“And you were studying with him all day in the library, weren’t you?”
“With Jongdae too. It’s our O.W.L. year, you know?”
“Just curious, when are you going to end the act? This could go on forever.”
Kyungsoo has asked himself this before, so he’s got an answer prepared. “Until Park Chanyeol shows a reaction.” They’re almost there, Kyungsoo feels - the last few days, Chanyeol hasn’t been around Jongin as much - the latter has been preparing hard for the third task. He’s seemed much more stressed in light of the approaching examinations, constantly flipping through his textbooks, sending glowering looks at Baekhyun and Kyungsoo when they cross his path.
Baekhyun seems to have a never-ending supply of ideas for fake dating activities. Over the past few weeks, they’d snuck out of the building for a midnight flight around the school grounds. There was almost no chance of Chanyeol spotting them on that particular occasion, but what was the harm in additional practice at being a couple? They’d gone to Slughorn’s Christmas party together - Kyungsoo and Chanyeol were both members of the Slug Club, but Chanyeol hadn’t been in attendance that night. At least it was fun, Kyungsoo tells himself. There’s no harm in having some fun - he deserves it, after all the shit he’s been through in his previous relationship.
They’re doing this for a purpose, and one purpose only: to get back at Chanyeol. And until Chanyeol is affected - shows that he’s affected, why should they stop?
The next day, Kyungsoo and Baekhyun attend combined Ancient Runes, sitting next to each other at the desk in front of Chanyeol’s. As the class is dismissed, Chanyeol walks up to Professor Babbling’s desk, his just-returned essay scroll in hand. Kyungsoo and Baekhyun linger behind, packing up as slowly as they can.
“It’s the scripture that was in the Room of Runes, professor.”
“I can assure you that there exists no such rune, Chanyeol. I can’t give you a better grade on this.”
“Professor, I really want to qualify for Ancient Studies,” Chanyeol says, glancing around to see if anyone was looking at him. He leans down slightly and lowers his voice. “Is there anything I can do for extra credit? Could you let me redo this essay?”
Professor Babbling addresses Chanyeol’s questions with a few more curt responses, then leaves the room briskly. Chanyeol sighs frustratedly, running a hand through his already messy hair. He heads back to his seat and starts roughly rolling up scrolls of parchment, wedging them haphazardly into his bag.
Baekhyun raises his eyebrows at Kyungsoo and says in a stage-whisper, “Fancy a stroll to the Owlery after this?”
“Why, got any letters you need to send?”
“No, but the place is pretty isolated. Nice spot for a walk, don’t you think?” Baekhyun’s tone is teasing.
“Can you cut this out once and for all?”
The surprise makes almost makes Kyungsoo jump as he looks up at the guy standing over them. Chanyeol’s normally (deceptively) friendly features are set, eyes narrowed in annoyance.
This is what I’ve been waiting for, Kyungsoo realises.
It’s Baekhyun who reacts first, turning to face Chanyeol and folding his arms. “Cut what out?”
Chanyeol rolls his eyes. “This ridiculous act, or whatever it is.” He gestures between the two of them. “I can’t tell if you’re trying to make me jealous, or if you think it’s funny. But it’s not funny in the least. It’s pathetic. I’ve had enough of you two getting in my way everywhere I go. It’s an eyesore.” He looks at Kyungsoo, eyes narrowing. “And you, please, please get over me already, alright?”
It takes a second for Kyungsoo to process that, before the mortification begins to sink in.
“Well I’d like you to know that we aren’t doing this for your benefit! Not everything is about you, you know?” Baekhyun shouts at Chanyeol’s retreating back. Chanyeol turns around, eyebrows knotted and gaze tired.
“Give me a fucking break. Your acting is faker than your jawline. You think I don’t know what this guy is like?” Chanyeol points at Kyungsoo, and Kyungsoo seethes at not even being referred to by name. “If you wanted to act, at least do it convincingly. Those fake loving smiles were gross as fuck.”
Kyungsoo wants badly to deliver some insults that’ll put Park Chanyeol in his place. But in that moment, all he manages is, “Those smiles weren’t faked, you asshole.”
Chanyeol ignores him and continues, “fake kisses-
“Those kisses weren’t faked!” Baekhyun shouts. “And I’ll have you know that we’ve met up plenty of times without you around!”
Chanyeol doesn’t honour them with a retort. He exhales sharply, shakes his head and turns to leave. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo watch his retreating back, speechless, until he’s out of the room.
It takes a moment to set in. Kyungsoo speaks first, gathering his books. “Great. Now we’ve really gone and embarrassed ourselves for good.”
“Whose ingenious idea was this entire thing in the first place?”
“I might have instigated it, but you took it too far. You insisted on continuing this bullshit for way too long. We should have called it quits after we failed at Hogsmeade.”
“I can’t believe you’re blaming this all on me,” Baekhyun says. “Real nice. After I did this all to help you, too.”
Kyungsoo snorts derisively. “Yeah, right. I’m not even your friend, you wouldn’t have helped me if you didn’t have your own motive in doing so. I’m not an idiot, okay? I know you have feelings for the guy.”
Baekhyun pales, and Kyungsoo feels a sick kind of triumph. He continues, the bitterness pouring out. “Yeah, we’re really pathetic, aren’t we? Pining after an asshole who doesn’t give a hoot about either of us.”
“I don’t,” Baekhyun says.
“You don’t what?”
“Have feelings for him. I did, for years, but I got over them quite long ago.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit,” Kyungsoo ripostes. “If you did ‘get over him’ as you say, you wouldn’t have dragged this on as long as you did.”
Baekhyun just shakes his head. “You’re wrong.”
“Excuse me?”
“I kept this thing up even after getting over Park Chanyeol,” Baekhyun says slowly, enunciating each syllable, “because I like you.”
“What?”
“I’m confessing right now. I like you.”
Kyungsoo’s mind is strangely blank. He’s not sure he heard Baekhyun correctly. Did he just say he liked him?
“Did you just say you liked me?”
“Yes, Kyungsoo.”
Kyungsoo looks at Baekhyun, expecting him to start grinning or even burst out laughing. The other boy’s expression is still serious, slight amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maybe he really means it.
“Yes, Kyungsoo, I really mean it.”
Kyungsoo hadn’t meant to say that out loud. He looks away, embarrassed. “Well …” He can’t believe what he’s about to say. “I never thought I’d be saying this, ever. But I like you too.” The words seem to echo, embarrassingly loud, in the empty classroom.
Baekhyun cracks a smile at his words.
“Well then …” Baekhyun says, stepping forward to take Kyungsoo’s hand. “Go out with me? For real?” He’s smirking slightly now, and Kyungsoo gets the brief urge to sock him over the head, to wipe that obnoxious grin from his face. But Baekhyun’s soft fingers are pressing on the tips of Kyungsoo’s, and he just wants to take the other boy into his arms, to pull him close and rest his chin on Baekhyun’s shoulder, and maybe stay that way forever.
People really do fall in love in mysterious ways. Kyungsoo nods slowly.
“Yeah, I’d love to.”
“You guys are so sweet together, it makes me want to retch.”
They’re sitting out in a group in the Quidditch grandstands, looking down on the transformed Quidditch pitch. The champions are about to enter the maze.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kyungsoo smile so much in my entire life. If I’m honest, it’s pretty scary.”
In the front row, Kyungsoo can see Chanyeol, his face pale and sweaty. He seems almost concerned about Jongin.
“Remind me how you guys ended up together again?” Yixing asks, leaning forward to watch the champions form up in a queue.
“Well, it started at the Yule Ball …” Baekhyun begins. From his tone, Kyungsoo can already tell the story is going to be a dumb one. “That’s when I saw him dance for the first time. It was kind of shocking. His legs definitely weren’t working like they used to before.”
Kyungsoo feints taking a swing at Baekhyun’s head, but Baekhyun just ducks and continues. “Then we slow-danced to that jazz band - thankfully there are standard moves for that kind of dance. He was pretty apprehensive at first, but I completely swept him off his feet with my charisma. Made him smile. Made all the right moves.”
Most of their friends are guffawing by now. Kyungsoo grabs Baekhyun in a headlock. “For heaven’s sake, when are you going to stop?”
Baekhyun tugs, and Kyungsoo slackens his grip. The other boy is still smirking, and Kyungsoo can’t help but laugh at his expression.
“I’m going to keep harassing you forever. I’ll do it forever. You can hit me forever if you want.”
The next hour passes in a show of explosions, yelled curses, inhuman noises from the inhuman creatures inhabiting the maze, and Ludo Bagman’s shouted commentary over the roar of the audience. Projections of the four champions follow them through the maze in the form of holographs hovering directly above their position, allowing the spectators to watch their progress.
Kyungsoo watches as Jongin’s holograph is confronted by a blast-ended skrewt. The skrewt breaks through Jongin’s Impedimenta charm, and another one approaches from the back, taking a swipe at his head. Jongin’s cast a protective force field around himself, but it’s quickly dissolved when one of the skrewts exhales a column of fire.
Jongin stuns the skrewt, a charm that only lasts a second, but it’s enough. He uses the skrewt as a springboard, jumping up it’s back and sprinting straight down the next corridor of vines. However his timely escape doesn’t bring about much of a reaction, because most of the crowd is watching the centre of the maze, where Jung Yunho, having just shaken off a group of Dementors, is quickly bearing in on the Triwizard cup.
“YUNHO! YUNHO!” The crowd begins chanting, and a few moments later Yunho’s grasping the green cup with both hands, and the maze spins and vanishes in a cloud of pink smoke. The champions are suddenly standing in a straight row on a raised platform, and Yunho’s occupying the top step. A brass ensemble begins a grand fanfare as the platforms rise towards the heavens on an ever-lengthening gold pedestal.
“No,” Baekhyun suddenly says, sounding pained. “The bitch in the front row is not crying right now.”
Kyungsoo glances down the stands, and as expected, Chanyeol is red-faced, contorting his face in a desperate attempt to hold back tears.
“I could not have had a crush on that guy.”
“Neither could I.” Kyungsoo honestly wonders what he’d ever seen in the guy. “What was up with us?”
“We were terribly misguided,” Baekhyun sighs, leaning onto Kyungsoo’s chest. “Let’s not look at him anymore.” They both tilt their heads up to look at the champions, who are still ascending in a column of light.
“At least the guy did one thing right,” Kyungsoo says. He looks down at Baekhyun’s sleepy face and gently pushes his fringe out of his eyes.
Baekhyun yawns. “Yeah?” They watch as the three champions quickly approach the darkening heavens. The champions are a brilliant supernova of light, stark against the navy canvas of star-spangled sky.
Maybe it’s all part of a plan. “He brought us together.”
END
Length: 8700
Rating: PG
Summary: Asking his ex-boyfriend's arch-rival to the Yule Ball had seemed like a good idea, but as usual, things don't work out as planned.
Notes: Written for the 2015 round of Exolliarmus. Originally posted here.
Disclaimer:The celebrities' names/images are merely borrowed and do not represent who the celebrities are in real life. No offense is intended towards them, their families or friends. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this fictional work. No copyright infringement is intended.
Sehun spares him a brief glance. “That’s the worst idea you’ve had yet.”
The year of the Triwizard Tournament, activity rapidly floods the Hogwarts grounds. Hallways, normally occupied by the reluctant shuffle of students and professors on their way to class, are suddenly brimming with life - foreign student nominees, Ministry personnel, judges, security, press. The Hogwarts students are thrilled by the chaos, for the most part. Everyone loves a good commotion, especially when they don’t have to be involved. The First and Second Tasks flash by, accompanied by fervent campaigning, the usual exchange of gossip and conspiracy theories. Tabloid reporters watch from the sidelines, eavesdropping and drafting sensational headlines.
A week before Christmas, Professor Snape summons the fourth to seventh-year Slytherin students to a combined briefing.
“I have to inform you that as part of the tradition of the Triwizard Tournament, all fourth to seventh-year students will be required to attend a Yule Ball. While this might seem ... frivolous, and a waste of time and resources, I’m afraid that the people who conceived the Tournament decided that making a spectacle of ourselves should be established as important tradition.
And so protect tradition we will. There are only two things you have to take note of - first, there will be dancing. All students are expected to partake. Second, you are expected to come with a partner.”
Seated in the first row, Do Kyungsoo, fifth-year, groans inwardly.
Professor Snape lets the seventh-year Slytherin prefects, Shim Changmin and Jessica Jung, take over to demonstrate the various dance routines. Soon after, the students are dismissed, and rise to file out of the Potions Classroom.
In the hallway, Oh Sehun falls in alongside Kyungsoo.
“Do they really have to put us through this?” Kyungsoo is taken aback by how whiny his voice sounds.
Next to him, the tall, blond fourth-year shrugs. “A party’s a party, even if it’s a school thing.”
“That’s not the issue.” Kyungsoo’s book bag slides down his shoulder, and he hitches it up reflexively. The mere mention of dates, or partners, has the bile rising from his stomach.
“I know, I know.” Sehun smiles in what was probably an attempt to look placating, but just comes across as patronising. He pats Kyungsoo on the shoulder reassuringly. “You’re hung up on the date thing. Relax, you can just ask a third-year. I’m sure all of them are dying to go.”
“There’s no way I’m showing up with a third year. Park Chanyeol would never let me live it down.”
“Why give a fuck what he thinks?”
Kyungsoo is quiet.
“You can’t still have feelings for him?”
Kyungsoo shoots him a glare in response. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I can’t see any other reason why you - never mind.”
Kyungsoo decides to let the comment slide. “I need to think of something that will really infuriate him,” Kyungsoo says speculatively. “If I just had a chance with one of the Beauxbatons girls.”
“I’m pretty surprised, Soo. I never knew you had this streak in you.”
“What streak?”
“This vengefulness.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t like the teasing note in Sehun’s voice. “I don’t have a vengeful streak. I just really dislike Park Chanyeol.”
“Whatever you say.” Sehun shrugs. “Just don’t get your hopes too high with the Beauxbatons girls - or guys. I’d hate to see you get rejected again.”
By dinnertime Kyungsoo has a new plan. “I’m going to ask Byun Baekhyun to the ball,” he tells Sehun.
Sehun spares him a brief glance. “That’s the worst idea you’ve had yet.”
“I think he’ll annoy Park the most.” Kyungsoo chews slowly on roast beef, his eyes searching the Gryffindor table for his target.
Kyungsoo hears Baekhyun before he sees him. He’s standing on the bench, shouting across the room to the Hufflepuff table, where sixth-year prefect Kim Junmyeon is holding court. Kyungsoo can’t really decipher what the conversation is about, though he does hear something about a lost bet and Acromantula droppings. Baekhyun is, as usual, completely carried away, his voice loud and blaring, his pale face flushed and contorted with laughter.
Kyungsoo tries not to, but he lets his gaze wander a few seats down the table. Park Chanyeol is seated with his back to the table, large square-framed glasses perched on his nose, saying something to a tall blond Hufflepuff who’s always looked slightly intimidating even to Kyungsoo - Kim Junmyeon’s right-hand man, Kris Wu. They’re with two students from Durmstrang - one of them being Kim Jongin, the Durmstrang Triwizard champion. Kim Jongin’s something of a celebrity - he’d been one even before becoming Triwizard champion, famous in artistic circles as a performer, a prodigal dancer. As Kyungsoo watches, Chanyeol’s eyes crinkle and he doubles over with laughter, shaking his long fringe out of wide, innocent eyes.
Kyungsoo hates the way the laughter takes over Chanyeol’s face. He hates how Chanyeol can be so happy, while he still feels the hurt like a freshly salted wound. He hates the way Chanyeol looks so deceptively harmless and friendly, like a large puppy, when his real personality couldn’t be further from that.
He thinks back to the early days of their relationship, when he was still being pursued by the giant oaf. Back then he’d thought it was intense and passionate, like they’d connected on a psychological level that was above fanciful gestures and anniversaries, but now he realises that their lack of romance was probably because their relationship was just a casual fling for the other guy. Kyungsoo was by no means needy or clingy, but Chanyeol had never made an effort to integrate Kyungsoo into his circle of friends. He’d cancelled dates to hang with other friends, invented excuses whenever Kyungsoo asked him out, then expected Kyungsoo to drop everything and go whenever he wanted to meet.
Kyungsoo had bitten down and endured for several months, because in spite of everything, he really was fond of the guy - he was interesting, rich, smart, handsome - what else could a guy want, right? But there had come a stage when he couldn’t take it any longer and finally confronted Chanyeol. And Chanyeol had just shrugged and said in his self-assured way that he didn’t think this relationship was working out for him. For him. He’d said Kyungsoo was unexciting, that he felt hankered down, that he could use a break. Like he hadn’t already spent the entire duration of their relationship casting his eyes around, flirting with other people right in Kyungsoo’s face.
Better alone than in bad company, Kyungsoo tells himself. He knows there’s no point in dragging on an unhealthy relationship. He’s been surprisingly calm since the breakup - maybe the “depressed” part had yet to settle in. But try as he might, he can’t just leave the guy alone. Not after all the pain he’s still going through. Maybe it’s residual feelings manifesting as bitterness, but Kyungsoo knows is that he can’t just let this go. He wants to, needs to do something.
“Found a date yet, Soo?” Yixing asks sympathetically. He flicks the wand in his hand lazily, watching his oriental patterned teacup slowly flatten out and grow legs. They’re sitting out by the lake, bundled up in their winter cloaks after double Transfigurations, Slytherin and Ravenclaw combined. It’s chilly out, but Kyungsoo doesn’t mind the cold. The vast lawn would normally be empty at this time of year, but now the Durmstrang ship is anchored in the lake, and groups of Kim Jongin’s fangirls can be spotted hanging around the gangway, hoping to steal a glimpse of the heartthrob.
Kyungsoo hasn’t told anyone but Sehun about his plans. “No, not yet. What about yourself?”
“I haven’t asked, but I’ve got someone in mind.”
“Oh yeah?” Kyungsoo’s a little interested, but keeps his tone noncommittal.
“Yup. Luhan.”
“That Luhan?” Kyungsoo’s eyes widen. “No offence, but you think you stand a chance?”
Yixing grins crookedly. “We have some things in common.”
Kyungsoo sighs. “You didn’t.”
Yixing keeps grinning.
“You didn’t offer him illegally purveyed alihotsy.”
Yixing laughs. “He’s quite the vixen when he’s high.”
Kyungsoo shakes his head, eyeing the badge on Yixing’s cloak. “How did a guy like you end up a prefect?” It’s almost dusk, and the sky is slowly fading to pink. It’s getting pretty cold, and they’ll have to go in soon, but for now he’s enjoying the (relative) serenity and the cold wind.
“PARK CHANYEOL!”
A loud, grating voice - unmistakably Byun Baekhyun’s - cuts through the quiet. Kyungsoo straightens up and whips his head around, scanning the area. Baekhyun is striding briskly across the open lawn, his red-gold hair glinting in the late afternoon sun. He’s chasing after Park Chanyeol, who’s walking leisurely ahead, his long legs giving him the advantage over Baekhyun.
Baekhyun breaks into a light jog and catches up to Chanyeol. He grabs hold of the taller’s coat and forces him to a halt, a short distance behind the tree Kyungsoo and Yixing are leaning on. “Stop. Listen to me.”
Chanyeol rolls his eyes and sighs. “What now?”
“You know what.”
Kyungsoo glances at Yixing and raises a finger to his lips, warning him to stay quiet. Yixing eyes him quizzically, but he’ll think of an excuse later.
“Byun, it’s not my fault Kibum can’t take a bloody joke. If he didn’t have to be such a drama queen about the whole thing, nobody would’ve gotten hurt.”
Baekhyun seethes. “You stuffed what, twenty Flobberworms down his shirt. Anybody would’ve been traumatised.”
“Didn’t warrant him hexing me in front of McGonagall. That was all him.”
“Go to McGonagall and explain the full situation.”
Chanyeol shakes his head. “Why the hell would I do that? Byun, that’s not my business.”
“Chanyeol, you know this was your fault.” Baekhyun is suddenly serious, and he’s using his counsellor-voice. “Just take responsibility for once. Kibum’s terrified of the Forbidden Forest. If you just speak to McGonagall, she’ll maybe change his detention to something tamer.”
“Sorry, but I’m doing no such thing.” Chanyeol begins walking away, his footsteps crunching on the frosted earth. Kyungsoo expects Baekhyun to chase after him, but the other boy seems to be still standing behind the tree.
Baekhyun is quiet for a few seconds.
“I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD ON A FUCKING PLATTER FOR THIS!”
Byun Baekhyun, Kyungsoo ponders. In many ways, he’s the complete opposite of Park Chanyeol. He’s a Muggle-born for one, which more traditional Slytherins would steer well clear of, while Chanyeol hails from a well-established, wealthy pure-blooded family. Baekhyun is short and broad-shouldered, with vivid red hair and downturned puppy eyes, while Chanyeol is tall and lanky, dark-haired and almost unsettlingly wide-eyed.
They weren’t quite opposites in terms of personality - both rowdy, brash and obnoxious. Possibly why they’d never gotten along, Kyungsoo thinks. Byun Baekhyun and Park Chanyeol’s enmity was known throughout the school - both parties were fairly high-profile and they made no secret of their rivalry. Kyungsoo can’t count the number of times he’s seen them face off in public; sometimes he thinks they like the extra attention it brings.
There was the time back in first year, when they’d gotten into a fight during flying lesson. Five people (including them both) had ended up in the hospital wing, downing concoctions of Skele-Gro. Then there was third year, when Chanyeol had ended up swinging from the chandelier in the main lobby after a faceoff with Baekhyun and Jongdae. Then there was that time early fourth year, when they’d managed to switch bodies and complete chaos ensued, culminating in both “Baekhyun” and “Chanyeol” racing around the school hallways wearing nothing but diapers, for everyone to see.
Kyungsoo disapproves of Baekhyun, even more than he’d disapproved of Chanyeol before they’d gotten into a relationship. But for all intents and purposes, it’s clear that Baekhyun hates Chanyeol and vice versa - and therefore Baekhyun is the best candidate for what Kyungsoo’s got in mind.
It’s not easy to get Baekhyun alone - he seems to move exclusively in herds of boisterous friends, and different friends each time at that. The next day during combined Herbology, Kyungsoo taps him on the shoulder as they’re cleaning up, re-potting fanged geraniums. “Can I speak to you for a moment after class?”
The redheaded boy looks surprised; he and Kyungsoo rarely speak. He wipes his brow with a forearm, and stray earth crumbles away from slim hands. “Uh, alright. It’s got to be quick though, I have Divination right after this.”
They’re standing outside Greenhouse Three. Baekhyun’s poker face is swathed in greenish light. “I wanted to ask if you’d go to the ball with me.” Kyungsoo makes the proposition carefully, watching Baekhyun’s expression.
The other boy looks awkward for a second and avoids Kyungsoo’s gaze. He coughs and quickly replies. “Sorry, I’m in the school choir. I have to perform at the ball.”
“The choir isn’t performing. I’m in the choir too, have been for four years.”
Baekhyun exhales sharply and raises his gaze. “I know you’re in the choir. Look, I don’t know how to put this across nicely, but I’m not interested in you. We’ve barely talked.”
“I’m not interested in you, either.”
Baekhyun’s lip quirks. “Okay …”
“It’s about Park Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo hadn’t been planning on revealing his intentions, not so soon, but it’s apparent that he’s going to get rejected point-blank otherwise.
“What about that git?” Baekhyun’s voice comes out harsh, and the light in his eyes seems to harden.
“I was dating him until a week ago, I’m not sure if you know.”
“I had no idea. Haven’t seen you with him.”
The comment stings a little. “Yeah. Our relationship wasn’t the greatest. But I want to show him that I’ve moved on. That I’m happy in a new relationship.”
“So why me?” Baekhyun sounds unimpressed.
“You guys hate each other,” Kyungsoo says, his tone matter-of-fact. “Seeing the two of us together at the ball is my best bet at making him angry.”
“Don’t you think this is rather childish of you?”
Kyungsoo shrugs. “I guess. But at this juncture I’m kind of beyond caring. You hate him too, don’t you? Wouldn’t you like to see him jealous and frustrated?” Baekhyun doesn’t answer for a few seconds, and Kyungsoo can see that he’s thinking about it. “Unless you’ve got someone else you really want to ask to the dance, of course.”
Baekhyun considers. “It does sound appealing,” he relents finally. He ignores Kyungsoo’s other questions.
“So you’ll do it?”
“I’ll ... think about it.”
Christmas arrives, blanketed in snow, and Kyungsoo heads to the grand stairway to meet Baekhyun as agreed. A steady stream of students and staff pours into the toasty warmth of the entryway, a hundred fabrics and textures and people dressed in their finest, a hundred voices echoing off the stone walls. Kyungsoo hasn’t been waiting long when he sees Baekhyun approaching, accompanied by a group of Gryffindor sixth-years. Kyungsoo straightens from his position against the wall, and Baekhyun catches his eye, waving with one hand.
“Hi, you look uh, nice.” Kyungsoo eyes him up and down. Baekhyun has put in some effort - his usually floppy red-brown hair gelled back dramatically, dark kohl around his eyes. The torches clamped to the walls illuminate his skin a subtle, glowing gold. “What’s up with the eyeliner though?”
“I need it. My eyelids are naturally droopy.” Baekhyun isn’t really looking at him. He glances around, and abruptly starts waving enthusiastically. “Hey, Junmyeon! Waiting for Jongdae?”
Kim Junmyeon, waiting at the foot of the staircase, grimaces back at him. He looks sharp and smart in heavy navy robes that contrast with his pale skin. “He was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.”
“Any idea who Minseok’s going with? I’ve been asking him for days but he won’t say a word.”
Junmyeon shrugs. “Haven’t seen him around in a while. Maybe he doesn’t have a date.”
“No way, Minseok has more game than that. Hey, Taeyeon! You look particularly fine today.” Baekhyun winks flirtatiously at the girl entering the hall on the arm of a Durmstrang boy.
Taeyeon swats at his head with her free hand as she walks past. “Save it, Byun.”
“You know you love me.”
“Pay attention to your date!” She shouts back.
Kyungsoo looks back and forth between Baekhyun and Taeyeon. “Are you ready to go in?”
“Yeah.” Baekhyun still isn’t looking at him, and on the way from the corridor to the hall he keeps up a steady stream of what-ups, high-fives and hugs.
Eventually, they manage to cross the twenty metres to the doors, and Kyungsoo is amazed by how much the Hall has been transformed. The long wooden benches have been removed and replaced with floating, legless cocktail tables which gleam like they’re made of diamonds. The walls, floor and ceiling are draped with sheer silvers, pale gold and velvet navy, and the front of the hall has been converted into a stage made of interwoven frosted twigs and branches. He walks in with Baekhyun on his arm, feeling slightly self-conscious.
“So, see him anywhere?”
“No. He’ll probably be late anyway, he’ll think it’s fashionable.”
Baekhyun raises an eyebrow. “Wow, you really do hate him.”
Kyungsoo shrugs but refrains from commenting. Across the room, he sees his upperclassman Changmin presenting his date Yoona with a rose corsage, and suddenly feels awkward that he hasn’t prepared anything for Baekhyun. “Would you like to find some drinks?”
“Sure.” Baekhyun starts heading for the refreshments table before Kyungsoo can explain that he’d meant for Baekhyun to take a seat first. He trails after Baekhyun, swerving tall people as Baekhyun stops to talk to just about everybody they pass.
“Kyungsoo!” Kyungsoo turns around to see Yixing.
He waves. “So, no luck with Luhan?”
Yixing looks confused for a moment, then laughs. “Oh, that. I was just kidding about that. There he is, over there.”
Kyungsoo looks in the direction Yixing’s pointing. Luhan’s in the doorway, gliding into the hall like he’s floating. Dressed in all white, with his pale blonde hair and delicate features, there almost seems to be a halo of light around him. Kyungsoo feels an inexplicable pull towards the other male, and he wants to go up to him, to be near him.
“Close your mouth,” Yixing remarks drily. Kyungsoo snaps out of his trance.
“Did I do anything embarrassing?” Kyungsoo hates being around Veela - full or half. He resents the way they take control away from him.
“No, but you were about to.”
Kyungsoo glances to his other side, where Baekhyun is gaping as well. “Is that Minseok?”
Kyungsoo struggles to focus on the shorter figure being overshadowed by Luhan’s radiance. “Yeah, it is.”
“He’s been holding out on us,” Baekhyun says, almost admiringly. He starts making his way over to the couple.
Kyungsoo turns back to Yixing. “So which unfortunate guy did you ask instead?”
At that moment, a pretty underclassman comes up to them with two glasses of something foamy. Yixing stands up and gestures to Kyungsoo. “Sunyoung, this is my friend Kyungsoo. Not sure if you guys know each other.”
The girl smiles somewhat nervously, tucking her fringe behind her ear. Kyungsoo’s been told he has a disconcerting look about him. “We don’t. Nice to meet you.”
Kyungsoo smiles slightly. “Nice to meet you.” Then he looks at Yixing in resignation. “I can’t believe you were kidding about being gay as well. It’s been two years.”
Sunyoung stares at Yixing in confusion, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
“Kyungsoo! You coming over here?” Baekhyun calls, and Kyungsoo redirects himself to the refreshments table.
Baekhyun is standing with Junmyeon and Jongdae. Jongdae looks like he’s got a bird’s nest on his head - presumably he’d styled his hair for the ball.
“So I never got the chance to ask you before. How did this-” Junmyeon gestures between Baekhyun and Kyungsoo - “start? It seems kinda sudden.”
Kyungsoo knows how bad he is at lying, and doesn’t even try. He glances at Baekhyun.
Baekhyun laughs weakly and throws his arm over Kyungsoo’s shoulders. “It wasn’t all that sudden, hyung. We’ve been seeing each other for a while now, cause we’re both in choir and all that, you know.”
Junmyeon nods slowly, but Jongdae raises his eyebrows questioningly.
Kyungsoo forces out a laugh of his own. “Yeah. We agreed to keep it under wraps for a while because it hasn’t been long since my last relationship ended, and I didn’t really want to upset Park - Chanyeol.”
“Yeah, that’s why.”
Kyungsoo stares at Jongdae after his last comment, at a loss as to how to answer.
Fortunately, Professor McGonagall chooses that moment to announce the arrival of the champions and their partners. Everyone pushes towards the centre of the hall, where a red carpet has just been laid out. Baekhyun drags Kyungsoo to a front-line spot.
At the far end of the hall, Professor Flitwick waves his baton, and the musicians start up a grand fanfare. The double doors open, and the first couple enters the hall.
The Beauxbatons champion floats into the hall in a gown of lilac silk, her blonde hair fanning out as she walks. Kyungsoo stares after her as she walks down the aisle, barely noticing her uniform-clad partner escorting her like a bodyguard.
The next champion enters the fray - Kim Jongin, the young Durmstrang champion. Kyungsoo looks at his partner, and suddenly feels his stomach drop.
It’s Chanyeol. He’s standing on Jongin’s right, dressed in royal blue robes. Jongin walks fluidly and aggressively, like a male model, while Chanyeol next to him is casual and nonchalant, like he’s just walking to class or to dinner.
Kyungsoo supposes he should have seen this coming. Kim Jongin had been spending a lot of time with Chanyeol recently.
Still, the blood is pounding in his ears as he watches the couples line up for the opening dance. Kyungsoo barely notices the last champion - Jung Yunho - and his partner Kwon Boa’s entrance. He tries to level his gaze on Luhan standing across the aisle, to focus only on his glow. Is that a flower he’s wearing in his hair? It looks like a magnolia.
He feels Baekhyun, Junmyeon and Jongdae staring at him, but doesn’t want to meet their eyes. He knows he’ll probably find pity there.
When the first song ends, Kyungsoo takes hold of Baekhyun’s wrist immediately. “Come on, let’s dance.” His mind is strangely blank, as though he’s moving on autopilot.
Baekhyun follows him onto the dancefloor as the Weird Sisters take over the orchestra, the bass starting up the power chords of “Do The Hippogriff”. “How awkward is this?”
Kyungsoo is surprised by the way Baekhyun sounds: oddly forced. “Is anything the matter?” He turns to look at Baekhyun, and is shocked to see apprehension in the other boy’s face.
Instantly, Baekhyun rearranges his features into subtle incredulity. “Where’d you get that idea from?”
Kim Jongin brushes past Kyungsoo in all his lean, lithe glory, and Kyungsoo’s heart drops like a lead weight. “Never mind.”
Baekhyun bobs up and down a little, feeling the music, and seconds later he’s dancing hard. Kyungsoo hovers uncertainly next to him, moving half-heartedly. He’s glad for the throng of gyrating bodies all around him, forming a barrier between himself and the seated couples.
“You have to be,” Baekhyun pants, “more, convincing, than, that.”
Focus, Kyungsoo tells himself. This is the Yule Ball and you’re having an amazing time with your date. Park Chanyeol doesn’t exist.
He relaxes his muscles, moves a little, starts to dance. He swings his hips, sways from side to side, lets his arms dangle. He’s even starting to feel relaxed when he realises that Baekhyun has stopped moving and is staring at him, open-mouthed.
“Do you usually dance like that?”
Kyungsoo stops dancing. Baekhyun quickly shakes his head. “No, not saying it was bad or anything … just unusual. Keep going, keep going.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t feel like dancing, especially after that last comment, but he tries to move again. He tries to ignore the irrational feeling of pain and betrayal that’s gripping his heart like a vice. He’d controlled himself so well after the breakup, remained so composed, but it’s as though depression has finally slipped through the denial. He shouldn’t be here. He should be in bed, crying into his pillow. What was he thinking, trying to show Chanyeol up? He can barely look at the guy without completely losing his cool.
The people surrounding him are getting more frenzied, and the floor is vibrating with the jumping and stomping. Kyungsoo’s head swims. The band ups their synthesizer. Kyungsoo’s ears are ringing.
A clammy hand - Baekhyun’s - clamps around Kyungsoo’s wrist and tries to shake him into movement. Kyungsoo shakes his head, but Baekhyun refuses to let go as Kyungsoo pushes blindly through the crowd of sweaty bodies, trying to find a way off the dancefloor.
“Hey, why’d you do that?” Baekhyun protests indignantly. Kyungsoo ignores his comments and makes a beeline for a strategically placed Christmas tree, ducking behind the decoration. He bends over slightly and tries to control his breathing.
Baekhyun hovers over him hesitantly. “Hey, you alright?” He bends down to look Kyungsoo in the face and pulls him upright.
“I’m not alright,” Kyungsoo says, regret coursing over every inch of his body. “I can’t believe I thought this would work. I’m not ready to do this.” His words come out rushed and panicked.
Baekhyun is quiet for a beat, then he reaches out and places a hand on Kyungsoo’s shoulder, a gesture of comfort.
“It’s natural to get a little emotional. You did just break up last week.
“But he’s completely fine.”
“That’s because he never took the relationship seriously.” Baekhyun seems to have trouble getting the words out. Kyungsoo wonders if he’s had a bad experience with a relationship, as well. “Emotions aren’t something to be ashamed of, Kyungsoo. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
Kyungsoo looks down. He swallows.
“It’s not worth it.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I know our date is just a farce and all,” Baekhyun ventures. “But we can still have fun, yeah?”
Kyungsoo nods. “Yeah, we can.” He breathes deeply. “I’m sorry I acted out like that. I don’t know what’s come over me.”
Baekhyun pats him on the back. “No worries. Let’s go get some food.”
Kyungsoo heads back out, Baekhyun’s hand reassuring on his shoulder. The rest of the evening is pleasant, though Chanyeol is nowhere to be seen. Kyungsoo is half relieved and half disappointed that his scheme doesn’t seem to be taking effect.
They hang out with Baekhyun’s friends, mostly, because most Slytherins don’t mix too well with Muggle-borns like Baekhyun. Kyungsoo gets harassed by several upperclassmen, who routinely attach themselves to him like leeches, at different points of the evening. They insist on taking photos with him, doing all kinds of strange poses with Kyungsoo as the centrepiece. He’s always been a kind of senior magnet. He looks out for Yixing, but his friend is constantly surrounded by the Durmstrang students he’s been hosting for the past weeks, and Kyungsoo doesn’t want to get close. Jongin might just be somewhere in their midst.
It’s close to midnight when Baekhyun convinces Kyungsoo to return to the dancefloor. Kyungsoo walks out to the front of the hall, warily eyeing the photo booth. Chanyeol, Jongin, Luhan and Minseok are getting a group picture taken. Both Jongin and Luhan are tabloid favourites, and Kyungsoo suspects he’ll see their photo in the papers soon enough.
Baekhyun and Kyungsoo dance the first few songs easily. Out of the corner of Kyungsoo’s eye, he sees Jongin taking a seat right next to the musicians.
But the conductor is soon announcing the last dance of the night, and the band currently playing changes its tune, shifting to a slow jazzy number. A solo saxophone starts out with a heavily embellished riff, soaring and filling the hall. The crowd on the dancefloor begins to thin out, and couples begin swaying slowly in time with the music.
Baekhyun looks at Kyungsoo apprehensively and licks his lips. “Do you wanna sit this one out?”
Kyungsoo makes up his mind. “No, let’s dance this.” Chanyeol is watching - they might as well make the most of the opportunity.
“Alright.” Baekhyun steps forward, and Kyungsoo’s hand finds the gentle curve of his waist. Baekhyun clears his throat and shifts Kyungsoo’s hand upwards to his torso.
“Sorry.” Kyungsoo connects his other hand with Baekhyun’s, and they begin to dance in small circles.
They’re quiet at first, not really looking at each other. There aren’t many people left on the dancefloor, and Kyungsoo’s aware that most of the hall can probably see them. Baekhyun speaks first. “If he sees us, and he definitely can see us right now, we’re pretty much screwed. We look awkward as fuck.”
He’s right, Kyungsoo realises. He turns to look at Baekhyun, who moves out into a spin, breaking the contact.
“Let’s do a more realistic job then,” Kyungsoo says, his voice shaking a little. The music pulls Baekhyun back in, face to face.
“Smile a little,” Baekhyun says. “You look absolutely miserable.”
Kyungsoo tries to think of something happy. The music modulates into another key and Baekhyun switches their hands around, taking the lead.
Sitting out at the lake when dawn is breaking, watching the sunrise. Laid-back acoustic breakdowns. Reuniting with his parents on the platform at the start of summer. Hogsmeade trips with friends, way back when, before he happened.
Yixing and his ridiculous, lame antics. Kyungsoo starts to smile in spite of himself, and when he meets Baekhyun’s eyes on their next turn, Baekhyun is smiling slightly too.
“There you go, you look much friendlier when you smile.”
“I don’t smile a whole lot,” Kyungsoo admits.
“Even better. Park is definitely going to think you’re much happier without him.”
Kyungsoo ignores the mention of Chanyeol, looking over Baekhyun’s shoulder. “Yeah. Thanks, by the way. For agreeing to help me out with this. You might dislike the guy, but you still didn’t have to help me.”
Baekhyun’s expression clouds over momentarily. Kyungsoo wonders if he said something wrong. “It’s no issue. I don’t mind helping out a fellow enemy of Park Chanyeol.”
Baekhyun’s hand tightens around his, his fingers long and slim. Kyungsoo tunes out the faces of the crowd, the noise, the other couples spinning around him. He focuses only on the top of Baekhyun’s red-gold head, the touch of his hand, the slight pressure of Baekhyun’s palm on his back. This is okay, he tells himself. I’m safe.
The music finally begins to fade out, and Kyungsoo loosens his hand from Baekhyun’s, coming to a halt. Baekhyun stands facing him, and for a prolonged moment they’re unmoving.
Baekhyun looks away and coughs. “Check if he’s looking at us.”
Kyungsoo tears his eyes away from the smooth slope of Baekhyun’s neck, and his gaze finds Park Chanyeol and Kim Jongin still locked in their dancing position, at the opposite end of the dancefloor. “There he is.”
Chanyeol’s facing away from them, and he’s looking down at Jongin. As Baekhyun and Kyungsoo watch, Jongin’s face colours prettily and he laughs. His smile is toothy and his eyes form crescents. He looks … cute, a sharp contrast from his usual smouldering gaze.
“He didn’t see a single SECOND of that?” Baekhyun is outraged. “Oh my god.” They both watch in horror as Chanyeol leans down and starts making out with Jongin, right there in the middle of the hall.
The clock chimes midnight, and the musicians take a bow. Recovering from shock, Kyungsoo slowly claps along with the rest of the crowd. All around, people are complaining about how short the ball was, how they wish it could’ve been longer.
Professors begin to direct the stragglers out of the Great Hall. Kyungsoo feels tired and slightly numb as he walks back towards the doors with Baekhyun, ahead of the self-dismantling decorations and self-folding furniture.
Outside, most of the couples begin heading out to the courtyard for a stroll around the grounds. Kyungsoo and Baekhyun walk slowly and silently towards the main staircase, their footsteps muffled on the thick carpet, and they stop where the staircase diverges.
“My common room’s that way,” Baekhyun says, pointing in the direction opposite Kyungsoo’s.
Kyungsoo nods. “I know.”
They’re quiet for a while. The hallway outside the Great Hall is completely empty now.
“So, thanks for tonight,” Kyungsoo finally says. “I had fun.”
“So did I. I think my friends kind of like you.”
“You think so?” Kyungsoo tries to conceal a yawn behind his hand.
“You must be exhausted.”
“I am,” Kyungsoo admits. “I think I’d better go back soon.”
“Have a good rest, then.” Baekhyun lifts a palm.
“You too.” Kyungsoo returns Baekhyun’s parting wave, and they head up their respective staircases.
“Oh, and Kyungsoo?” Kyungsoo turns around. Baekhyun is standing at the top of the stairs, leaning against the railing. The grin on his face is mischievous.
“Yeah?” Baekhyun’s smile is oddly blinding, and for a bewildering moment Kyungsoo gets the urge to shield his eyes.
“I think we need to step up our game.”
Their next chance to put their plan into action comes the following weekend, when the fifth-years have their trip to Hogsmeade. Kyungsoo wraps up heavily in scarves and sweaters and heads out to the courtyard, where he’s agreed to meet Baekhyun.
Most of the students have already headed out. Kyungsoo waits patiently, wondering if Baekhyun had already forgotten their appointment. He’s just about to run for the last tram when Baekhyun and Jongdae finally stagger out into the courtyard, still fastening their cloaks and pulling down their sleeves.
“Sorry we’re late,” Baekhyun pants, hurrying to keep up as Kyungsoo begins brisk-walking towards the station.
Kyungsoo tilts his chin in Jongdae’s direction. “What are you doing here?”
Baekhyun has the grace to look apologetic. “I asked him along. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“I thought this was supposed to be a date.” Kyungsoo feels mildly irritated, though he’s not quite sure why it matters.
“A fake one,” Jongdae reminds him. “So I’m your chaperone. Make sure you two don’t get too carried away.”
“There won’t be a need for that,” Baekhyun cuts in. “Just act as our lookout, tell us when to take action. That’s it.”
“Where’s Junmyeon?” As far as Kyungsoo remembers, Yixing doesn’t have any hosting obligations on Hogsmeade weekends.
“Escort duty. He has to accompany some foreign dignitaries to tour the village.”
“Anyway, so like we discussed,” Baekhyun says to Kyungsoo, “We need Chanyeol to see us snogging. Making out like he and Jongin did at the ball.”
“Right.” Kyungsoo nods. He wonders if they’re being a little desperate, but decides that he is pretty desperate.
No harm getting the ex a little riled up.
“You just want an excuse to snog someone, don’t you?” Jongdae nudges Baekhyun’s shoulder with his own. “I think it’s been over two years since you’ve kissed someone that isn’t your mother.”
“Don’t get all smug just because you’re snogging Junmyeon, in case you forgot, you guys were so awkward around each other that I had to physically hook you up.”
“That’s what you call giving people a casual introduction?”
To Kyungsoo’s annoyance, they keep up the noisy bickering the entire tram journey to Hogsmeade.
Kyungsoo, Baekhyun and Jongdae are the last stragglers out of the tram. By the time they get to Hogsmeade, most of the other students are already in the stores. Kyungsoo follows the duo up the path to the main street, trying to keep his balance as his feet sink knee-deep in snow.
They catch sight of Chanyeol as they’re heading towards the main plaza. He’s accompanied by Kris Wu, towering conspicuously over most of the other students in the plaza.
“There he is. The target. Coming out of Honeydukes.” Baekhyun cranes his neck, trying to look past Kyungsoo.
“Could you be any more suspicious?” Kyungsoo mutters, pulling Baekhyun back behind him. His heart races wildly - this is their moment. “Alright. Now kiss me.”
“Right now?” Baekhyun sounds a little panicked.
Kyungsoo grabs Baekhyun’s head and angles their heads together, not intending to really brush lips. He runs his hands through Baekhyun’s fluffy hair, slightly matted with melting snow, immersing himself fully into his role.
What he doesn’t expect is for Baekhyun to actually meet his lips with his own. In the frigid cold, Baekhyun’s face and lips are warm and slightly dry. Kyungsoo shifts, automatically parting his lips slightly, and Baekhyun quickly takes control, kissing deeply and aggressively, taking Kyungsoo’s lower lip between his.
Kyungsoo starts to feel slightly dizzy from the lack of air. Baekhyun is the one to breaks contact, panting slightly, face flushed. Kyungsoo’s lips are still tingling. He wonders if they’re bruised.
“You guys enjoyed that, didn’t you?” Jongdae comments. “I think I saw some tongue.”
“Why did you even come?” Baekhyun shoves his hands in his pockets.
“Because you begged me to be your wingman?”
Kyungsoo’s still a little shell-shocked, but tries to keep his composure.
“Stay focused, please,” he barks, looping his arm around Baekhyun’s and pulling him in close. “Did he see us?”
“Yeah, pretty sure he did. Eyes falling out of his head and all that.”
Kyungsoo grins internally at the mental image, and Baekhyun seems equally pleased. “So should we head to Zonko’s? Chanyeol seems to be headed there.”
“Guys, I want to stop by Honeydukes,” Jongdae says. “Do we really need to spend our entire day trailing Chanyeol’s every move?”
Baekhyun glances at Kyungsoo, who shrugs. “I’m sure we made our point just now.”
They stop to get sweets at Honeydukes. Jongdae suggests grabbing a drink at the Three Broomsticks, but Baekhyun insists on Madam Puddifoot’s. “It’s way cosier,” he claims. Kyungsoo has never set foot in there all the numerous times he’s visited Hogsmeade.
They set their purchases down on a table near the entrance, and order two pumpkin lattes and one ginger spiced tea.
“People are looking at us funny,” Baekhyun comments.
“We don’t usually hang out with this guy,” Jongdae points out.
“I think they’re just judging you for that.” Kyungsoo stares at the giant jar of cockroach clusters on the table in front of Jongdae.
Jongdae looks affronted. “This stuff tastes better than it looks, alright?”
“Alternatively, it could be the fact that we’re the only people in this entire shop that aren’t a couple.” Kyungsoo looks around them at the couples leaning in close to each other over their neglected teacups, whispering in low voices, making out or gazing lovingly into each others’ eyes.
“Fuck,” Jongdae splutters abruptly. “Is that Zhang Yixing with Luhan?”
Kyungsoo looks over at Yixing and Luhan. They’re seated all the way in the back, right next to the kitchens, and they aren’t cosying up to one another like everyone else in the shop. Yixing is sitting back, his expression spaced out, as Luhan talks quickly and intensely to the teapot, making a speech with no ending. They’ve both got pretty patterned teacups in front of them, but Kyungsoo has a feeling that it isn’t tea they’re drinking.
“I thought Luhan was genuinely interested in Minseok.” Baekhyun sounds disappointed.
“I don’t think they’re on a date here,” Kyungsoo says. He’s met with two pairs of inquiring eyes. He shakes his head. “Never mind.”
Baekhyun laughs and nudges Jongdae. “He knows something. Definitely does. Come on, spill the tea.”
Kyungsoo just looks back over to where Yixing and Luhan are now laughing uncontrollably at nothing. Luhan’s even levitating a little off his seat. “Shouldn’t that be self-explanatory?”
Unprecedentedly, Kyungsoo finds himself continuing with the act for the next several weeks. Baekhyun looks him up shortly after the Hogsmeade trip to share some new “strategies” he’s devised, and Kyungsoo goes along with it against his better judgment.
He finds that he’s spending more time with Baekhyun and the Gryffindors than he’d ever expected to. Before long he barely remembers what their entire charade was for.
“I haven’t seen you at meals for an entire week,” Sehun says to him one evening in the common room. Kyungsoo bends over one of the long iron-wrought tables, double and triple-checking his Potions essay for mistakes. He’d been working on it all afternoon in the library with Baekhyun and Jongdae.
“I’ve been taking my meals outside.” Kyungsoo pauses, and feels the need to explain himself.
“Baekhyun again?” Sehun yawns, but he can’t quite hide the suspicious tone in his voice.
“Obviously. We’re meant to be dating, we need to spend time together.”
“And you were studying with him all day in the library, weren’t you?”
“With Jongdae too. It’s our O.W.L. year, you know?”
“Just curious, when are you going to end the act? This could go on forever.”
Kyungsoo has asked himself this before, so he’s got an answer prepared. “Until Park Chanyeol shows a reaction.” They’re almost there, Kyungsoo feels - the last few days, Chanyeol hasn’t been around Jongin as much - the latter has been preparing hard for the third task. He’s seemed much more stressed in light of the approaching examinations, constantly flipping through his textbooks, sending glowering looks at Baekhyun and Kyungsoo when they cross his path.
Baekhyun seems to have a never-ending supply of ideas for fake dating activities. Over the past few weeks, they’d snuck out of the building for a midnight flight around the school grounds. There was almost no chance of Chanyeol spotting them on that particular occasion, but what was the harm in additional practice at being a couple? They’d gone to Slughorn’s Christmas party together - Kyungsoo and Chanyeol were both members of the Slug Club, but Chanyeol hadn’t been in attendance that night. At least it was fun, Kyungsoo tells himself. There’s no harm in having some fun - he deserves it, after all the shit he’s been through in his previous relationship.
They’re doing this for a purpose, and one purpose only: to get back at Chanyeol. And until Chanyeol is affected - shows that he’s affected, why should they stop?
The next day, Kyungsoo and Baekhyun attend combined Ancient Runes, sitting next to each other at the desk in front of Chanyeol’s. As the class is dismissed, Chanyeol walks up to Professor Babbling’s desk, his just-returned essay scroll in hand. Kyungsoo and Baekhyun linger behind, packing up as slowly as they can.
“It’s the scripture that was in the Room of Runes, professor.”
“I can assure you that there exists no such rune, Chanyeol. I can’t give you a better grade on this.”
“Professor, I really want to qualify for Ancient Studies,” Chanyeol says, glancing around to see if anyone was looking at him. He leans down slightly and lowers his voice. “Is there anything I can do for extra credit? Could you let me redo this essay?”
Professor Babbling addresses Chanyeol’s questions with a few more curt responses, then leaves the room briskly. Chanyeol sighs frustratedly, running a hand through his already messy hair. He heads back to his seat and starts roughly rolling up scrolls of parchment, wedging them haphazardly into his bag.
Baekhyun raises his eyebrows at Kyungsoo and says in a stage-whisper, “Fancy a stroll to the Owlery after this?”
“Why, got any letters you need to send?”
“No, but the place is pretty isolated. Nice spot for a walk, don’t you think?” Baekhyun’s tone is teasing.
“Can you cut this out once and for all?”
The surprise makes almost makes Kyungsoo jump as he looks up at the guy standing over them. Chanyeol’s normally (deceptively) friendly features are set, eyes narrowed in annoyance.
This is what I’ve been waiting for, Kyungsoo realises.
It’s Baekhyun who reacts first, turning to face Chanyeol and folding his arms. “Cut what out?”
Chanyeol rolls his eyes. “This ridiculous act, or whatever it is.” He gestures between the two of them. “I can’t tell if you’re trying to make me jealous, or if you think it’s funny. But it’s not funny in the least. It’s pathetic. I’ve had enough of you two getting in my way everywhere I go. It’s an eyesore.” He looks at Kyungsoo, eyes narrowing. “And you, please, please get over me already, alright?”
It takes a second for Kyungsoo to process that, before the mortification begins to sink in.
“Well I’d like you to know that we aren’t doing this for your benefit! Not everything is about you, you know?” Baekhyun shouts at Chanyeol’s retreating back. Chanyeol turns around, eyebrows knotted and gaze tired.
“Give me a fucking break. Your acting is faker than your jawline. You think I don’t know what this guy is like?” Chanyeol points at Kyungsoo, and Kyungsoo seethes at not even being referred to by name. “If you wanted to act, at least do it convincingly. Those fake loving smiles were gross as fuck.”
Kyungsoo wants badly to deliver some insults that’ll put Park Chanyeol in his place. But in that moment, all he manages is, “Those smiles weren’t faked, you asshole.”
Chanyeol ignores him and continues, “fake kisses-
“Those kisses weren’t faked!” Baekhyun shouts. “And I’ll have you know that we’ve met up plenty of times without you around!”
Chanyeol doesn’t honour them with a retort. He exhales sharply, shakes his head and turns to leave. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo watch his retreating back, speechless, until he’s out of the room.
It takes a moment to set in. Kyungsoo speaks first, gathering his books. “Great. Now we’ve really gone and embarrassed ourselves for good.”
“Whose ingenious idea was this entire thing in the first place?”
“I might have instigated it, but you took it too far. You insisted on continuing this bullshit for way too long. We should have called it quits after we failed at Hogsmeade.”
“I can’t believe you’re blaming this all on me,” Baekhyun says. “Real nice. After I did this all to help you, too.”
Kyungsoo snorts derisively. “Yeah, right. I’m not even your friend, you wouldn’t have helped me if you didn’t have your own motive in doing so. I’m not an idiot, okay? I know you have feelings for the guy.”
Baekhyun pales, and Kyungsoo feels a sick kind of triumph. He continues, the bitterness pouring out. “Yeah, we’re really pathetic, aren’t we? Pining after an asshole who doesn’t give a hoot about either of us.”
“I don’t,” Baekhyun says.
“You don’t what?”
“Have feelings for him. I did, for years, but I got over them quite long ago.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit,” Kyungsoo ripostes. “If you did ‘get over him’ as you say, you wouldn’t have dragged this on as long as you did.”
Baekhyun just shakes his head. “You’re wrong.”
“Excuse me?”
“I kept this thing up even after getting over Park Chanyeol,” Baekhyun says slowly, enunciating each syllable, “because I like you.”
“What?”
“I’m confessing right now. I like you.”
Kyungsoo’s mind is strangely blank. He’s not sure he heard Baekhyun correctly. Did he just say he liked him?
“Did you just say you liked me?”
“Yes, Kyungsoo.”
Kyungsoo looks at Baekhyun, expecting him to start grinning or even burst out laughing. The other boy’s expression is still serious, slight amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maybe he really means it.
“Yes, Kyungsoo, I really mean it.”
Kyungsoo hadn’t meant to say that out loud. He looks away, embarrassed. “Well …” He can’t believe what he’s about to say. “I never thought I’d be saying this, ever. But I like you too.” The words seem to echo, embarrassingly loud, in the empty classroom.
Baekhyun cracks a smile at his words.
“Well then …” Baekhyun says, stepping forward to take Kyungsoo’s hand. “Go out with me? For real?” He’s smirking slightly now, and Kyungsoo gets the brief urge to sock him over the head, to wipe that obnoxious grin from his face. But Baekhyun’s soft fingers are pressing on the tips of Kyungsoo’s, and he just wants to take the other boy into his arms, to pull him close and rest his chin on Baekhyun’s shoulder, and maybe stay that way forever.
People really do fall in love in mysterious ways. Kyungsoo nods slowly.
“Yeah, I’d love to.”
“You guys are so sweet together, it makes me want to retch.”
They’re sitting out in a group in the Quidditch grandstands, looking down on the transformed Quidditch pitch. The champions are about to enter the maze.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kyungsoo smile so much in my entire life. If I’m honest, it’s pretty scary.”
In the front row, Kyungsoo can see Chanyeol, his face pale and sweaty. He seems almost concerned about Jongin.
“Remind me how you guys ended up together again?” Yixing asks, leaning forward to watch the champions form up in a queue.
“Well, it started at the Yule Ball …” Baekhyun begins. From his tone, Kyungsoo can already tell the story is going to be a dumb one. “That’s when I saw him dance for the first time. It was kind of shocking. His legs definitely weren’t working like they used to before.”
Kyungsoo feints taking a swing at Baekhyun’s head, but Baekhyun just ducks and continues. “Then we slow-danced to that jazz band - thankfully there are standard moves for that kind of dance. He was pretty apprehensive at first, but I completely swept him off his feet with my charisma. Made him smile. Made all the right moves.”
Most of their friends are guffawing by now. Kyungsoo grabs Baekhyun in a headlock. “For heaven’s sake, when are you going to stop?”
Baekhyun tugs, and Kyungsoo slackens his grip. The other boy is still smirking, and Kyungsoo can’t help but laugh at his expression.
“I’m going to keep harassing you forever. I’ll do it forever. You can hit me forever if you want.”
The next hour passes in a show of explosions, yelled curses, inhuman noises from the inhuman creatures inhabiting the maze, and Ludo Bagman’s shouted commentary over the roar of the audience. Projections of the four champions follow them through the maze in the form of holographs hovering directly above their position, allowing the spectators to watch their progress.
Kyungsoo watches as Jongin’s holograph is confronted by a blast-ended skrewt. The skrewt breaks through Jongin’s Impedimenta charm, and another one approaches from the back, taking a swipe at his head. Jongin’s cast a protective force field around himself, but it’s quickly dissolved when one of the skrewts exhales a column of fire.
Jongin stuns the skrewt, a charm that only lasts a second, but it’s enough. He uses the skrewt as a springboard, jumping up it’s back and sprinting straight down the next corridor of vines. However his timely escape doesn’t bring about much of a reaction, because most of the crowd is watching the centre of the maze, where Jung Yunho, having just shaken off a group of Dementors, is quickly bearing in on the Triwizard cup.
“YUNHO! YUNHO!” The crowd begins chanting, and a few moments later Yunho’s grasping the green cup with both hands, and the maze spins and vanishes in a cloud of pink smoke. The champions are suddenly standing in a straight row on a raised platform, and Yunho’s occupying the top step. A brass ensemble begins a grand fanfare as the platforms rise towards the heavens on an ever-lengthening gold pedestal.
“No,” Baekhyun suddenly says, sounding pained. “The bitch in the front row is not crying right now.”
Kyungsoo glances down the stands, and as expected, Chanyeol is red-faced, contorting his face in a desperate attempt to hold back tears.
“I could not have had a crush on that guy.”
“Neither could I.” Kyungsoo honestly wonders what he’d ever seen in the guy. “What was up with us?”
“We were terribly misguided,” Baekhyun sighs, leaning onto Kyungsoo’s chest. “Let’s not look at him anymore.” They both tilt their heads up to look at the champions, who are still ascending in a column of light.
“At least the guy did one thing right,” Kyungsoo says. He looks down at Baekhyun’s sleepy face and gently pushes his fringe out of his eyes.
Baekhyun yawns. “Yeah?” They watch as the three champions quickly approach the darkening heavens. The champions are a brilliant supernova of light, stark against the navy canvas of star-spangled sky.
Maybe it’s all part of a plan. “He brought us together.”
END