Listen to my Spell [Part 1]
Title: Listen to my Spell
Prompt: #184
For: anonymous
Pairing: JongKey
Author: >anonymous until reveals<
Word count: 5555
Rating: PG
Warnings: -none-
Summary: Jonghyun has a problem. A major one at that. NEWTs are around the corner and while he is quite confident about all his charms (pun intended), he lacks a very important thing; a patronus. He has never managed to create one, and that calls for drastic measures. Namely, asking sassy Slytherin student Kim Kibum for help. That shouldn't be a problem, as Kibum has the most beautiful arctic fox patronus Jonghyun had ever seen...if only they didn't hate each other's guts.
>><<
Well, this sure was a problem.
Jonghyun stared at the word with a displeased expression, his lips pursing and his eyebrows furrowing, one hand almost sneaking away to grab his wand and erase the awful word from the piece of paper or at least make it unreadable. The word Patronus looked back at him almost mockingly, making him scowl even more and he was not far from actually setting the document on fire and feel good about watching it burn.
“What are you glaring at?” Minho, one of Jonghyun’s friends, asked as he peered over the elder’s shoulder curiously, wanting to know what made the other glare like someone had stolen his precious guitar while he hadn’t payed attention but all he saw was a list of charms that would be needed to pass the N.E.W.T.s.
“They are seriously making us use a patronus charm,” Jonghyun grumbled, glaring at his younger friend who laughed out loud. “Hyung, you’re taking the N.E.W.T.s, of course they are gonna make you use a patronus charm. That’s basic. Seriously, what did you expect?”
The short male adverted his eyes back onto the paper, looking at all the other charms he would have to use during his exam, only finding a few others he was not very confident about. He knew and could use all of them except for that one, damn charm. His teacher had already given up on him when his class had learned this particular spell, telling him to just practice the motion which he had down perfectly by the way.
“I know but still, I can’t create a patronus. I’m going to fail if I can’t create one.”
Minho’s eyes lingered on the paper for a while. “I guess you should search for someone who can show you.”
Jonghyun groaned. “I know but who? Everyone I know just says I have to think about something that makes me happy, yeah...right…as if I hadn’t tried that already.” Maybe his life was just miserable and he didn’t have an happy memories like he thought he did.
“Why don’t you ask this cat guy?” Minho asked, “What was his name again? Kibum?”
“No way, he’s rude, way too sassy and stupid,” Jonghyun hissed, immediately starting to glare as he thought about the incredibly good-lookingblack-haired Slytherin he would love to spend some precious alone time with.
“Right, that one,” his friend replied helpfully and nodded his head. “The one who hates your guts.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Jonghyun grumbled almost offended, thinking back to their endless quarrels.
Minho shrugged. “Just saying, he’s the only one I can think of whose Patronus is pretty much on teacher-level already. I guess you can ask him for help or fail your exams, your choice.”
“You’re a real help, you know that?” Jonghyun groaned but the younger only grinned cheekily. “Sure, that’s what friends are for, right?” Yeah, one good friend you are.
Right, ask Kim Kibum for help, great idea Minho, really. A Gryffindor asking a Slytherin for help, especially two who hate each other’s guts more than anything. Kibum was just an annoyingly good-looking student who flounced around school like he owned the place, possessing enough sass for at least three people and liking attention just as much as Jonghyun did...wait...forget the last part.
Anyway, the other was slightly younger than Jonghyun with jet black hair which was occasionally died in crazy colors and sharp eyes that always held a dangerous glint like the owner was plotting your murder that very moment. He was also taller than Jonghyun, something he didn’t like at all but it, of course, did not hurt his pride in the least *cough cough*.
Bad enough that the younger was pretty popular among the students, he was also good in school which surprised a lot of people, including Jonghyun, since he didn’t look like someone who’d study a lot. Maybe he was just a natural talent but the Gryffindor liked to think Kibum stayed up late to keep up his stupid smartass reputation.
For days he had been moping around, avoiding Kibum on every occasion which proved to be quite difficult since they shared some classes and strangely enough the younger always seemed to pop up out of nowhere just when Jonghyun didn’t want to see him. Just like that incident a day ago when Jonghyun had washed his hands at one of the many bathrooms at Hogwarts.
Out of the hundreds of bathrooms and times Kibum could have chosen he had to chose just that exact moment to pay a visit as well, shooting a glare at Jonghyun through the mirror before he stepped up next to him and washed his hands as well.
“What’s up, Kim? Drinking your milk like a good boy so you’ll grow into something at some point?” he asked with a smirk, Jonghyun’s brow twitching dangerously. His height was a taboo topic but of course Kibum liked to pick on him because of that.
“What about you, Kim? I see you were finally able to remove the unicorn puke from your head?” he shot back snidey, referring to the younger’s previously pink and green highlights which had decorated his hair for about a week. It hadn’t been the first time and Jonghyun had once asked himself if there was a different charm for each hair color.
“You should ask a unicorn to throw up on you, maybe you’d look better then,” the taller replied as he punched the poor, innocent soap dispenser with a quirked eyebrow, green soap soon turning into small bubbles.
“I heard unicorn puke wasn’t good for your skin, maybe that’s why you’ve been looking even more awful lately,” Jonghyun remarked unfazed, spreading his own red soap on his hands.
“I take, in contrast to you, at least care of my skin, pimply face.”
“I like to go natural instead of looking like a ghost, thank you. The dungeons probably don’t provide enough sunlight for you which is why you look like you haven’t been outside for a decade.”
“Instead of commenting on my vitamin D intake you should probably worry more about your eyebrows, they are slowly but surely running off your face. I guess they can’t stand you either.”
“Wow, talking about eyebrows now, very creative, Kim,” Jonghyun said unimpressed as he looked up into the other’s dark eyes through the mirror above the sink.
Kibum just smirked and turned off the tab, straightening up and flicking some water onto the elder’s robes. “It’s in my blood to be creative,” he said smugly, Jonghyun rolling his eyes at the childish act. “Later, Kim, and don’t forget your milk. We don’t want you shrinking even more or even the first years will pick on you.”
“Don’t let the unicorns get you again or I might ask the teachers to take some of Slytherin’s points because of eyesight-violation.”
Kibum just raised his hand in a careless wave as he made his way out of the bathroom, his black robe disappearing around the corner. Jonghyun shook his head and dried off his hands, taking another look into the mirror. He didn’t even have that many pimples and his eyebrows weren’t that weird...right? He frowned and shook his head, deciding to discard the thought.
Anyway, asking Kibum to help him was just as impossible as Jinki not tripping over the frame of the portrait which was the entrance to Gryffindor’s common room each and every single time.
Which is exactly why he found himself with a angry scowl on his face about a week later, knowing exactly there was no way to pass the N.E.W.T.s without a patronus, meaning Kibum’s help. He did have to admit that the younger’s patronus really was a sight to see, an elegant, bluish glowing arctic fox that flounced around just like its owner. Jonghyun never stopped wondering what on earth Kibum thought of to create such a strong and beautiful charm.
“You still haven’t asked him?” Minho asked bewildered as the ate lunch. “Hyung, if you want to pass you’ll have to get help sooner or later.”
“Don’t remind me,” the older grumbled displeased, scooping up some of his porridge and looking at it with the same angry scowl although the food in front of him was not at fault.
“Just ask, he’s not gonna rip your head off,” the younger muttered, not understanding why the older made such a big deal out of this.
“Yeah, he’ll mock me for the rest of my live, that’s even worse.”
“You won’t see him again after graduation, don’t be such a sissy and just ask. Geez, Jonghyun. You’re worse than a child.”
There was absolutely no way Jonghyun’s ego could handle being called a child so here he was no, looking at a frowning Kibum in front of him, trying hard not to scowl and show just how much he like the situation...at least on the outside.
“What?” the younger asked snippy, eyeing him up and down and probably thinking about witty comebacks already. They were standing in front of the entrance to the Great Hall, Jonghyun having waited for the younger to finish lunch to he could talk to him while the other’s friend, Taemin, already went back to their dorm. He did not want to whole Slytherin table staring at him while he explained that he could create a patronus.
“I need your help,” Jonghyun stated bluntly, celebrating the short moment Kibum actually looked surprised before his expression changed into a suspicious one, turning his head slightly. “I don’t think your face can’t be helped anymore, sorry not sorry.”
The older rolled his eyes. “Right, because it’s already perfect. I need you to help me with a charm.”
Kibum expression changed into an unreadable one before he snorted out a laugh. “You have to be kidding,” he said, “the great and holy Kim Jonghyun asks for help because of a charm?” he asked mockingly, the brunette pursing his lips displeased but keeping the snarky comments to himself while the younger still snickered slightly. He wouldn’t do him the favor of complaining and trying to justify his actions.
“Yeah, go celebrate it somewhere if you’re that happy about it.” He tapped his foot a few times impatiently and bit the inside of his cheek before he continued. “So, you’re gonna help me or not?”
The Slytherin was back to being serious again seemed to think about the question for real this time. “You’re really not kidding me?” he asked, still not believing what he had just heard and being back to scowling, Jonghyun groaning in response.
“Yes, geez, I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”
“Why don’t you ask one of your people? I’m sure you don’t really want a Slytherin helping you,” Kibum said and waved his hand dismissively, making an attempt to turn around and walk away as the older stopped him.
“Kibum, I wouldn’t be asking you if I had another choice so get to the point. Will you help me or not?” Jonghyun asked lowly, fed up with the other and his voice completely serious for once. The black-haired halted in his movement and turned his head slightly towards him, considering one more time, before sighing and rolling his eyes.
“Yeah, whatever, it’s just one charm, right?”
Jonghyun nodded his head shortly. “Fine, I’ll help you. Tomorrow 5pm at the lake. If you’re late I’ll give your head a make over.”
The older scrunched up his nose. “I won’t be late, princess,” he snorted before turning around and leaving the scene, asking what the hell he had just gotten himself into and why on earth his heart was beating faster with excitement. He was not excited to spend time with stupid Kibum… okay, maybe a bit… a tiny little bit.
Kibum shook his head as he walked down the stairs, wondering what kind of spell he had to teach Jonghyun and why on earth he had asked him out of all people. He had said he didn’t have a choice but honestly; there were people who were better at a lot of charms than Kibum and he would have thought Jonghyun would ask them way before even considering to ask him.
He released a sigh and straightened his back, turning around a corner and ignoring the chattering people in the drawings that hung from the stone walls. He honestly didn’t have much of a problem with teaching the other a charm but he had a reputation to uphold.
“You’re late,” Jonghyun said and Kibum shot him a glare.
“I’m not, I’m was just letting you wait to see if you’d be on time and actually meant what you said.”
The older rolled his eyes. “Seriously, you’re making such a big deal out of this. You make me seem like a douche who’d stand up everyone.”
“Well, maybe you are.” Kibum shrugged and eyed the other up and down, silence settling over the two before the younger spoke up again. “So, what is that spell that Mr. Kim can’t get right.”
Jonghyun would have liked to start another quarrel but for his own soul-peace he let the other have his fun with teasing him and get straight to the point. “I need a patronus to pass the N.E.W.T.s but I doesn’t work so I need you to teach me.”
Kibum actually had the nerve to look surprised, blinking at the other dumbly for a few moments. “Are you serious?” he asked in disbelieve, his eyes wider than normal and Jonghyun would have liked to crack a joke about his expression if he hadn’t been the cause of it. “Do I look like I’m kidding around?” he asked annoyed and tapped his foot.
“We’ve learned that like what...a year ago? Maybe two?”
“Yeah, I know,” the older grumbled, ignoring the younger’s amused snickers that sounded way too funny in his ears.
“This is hilarious,” Kibum mumbled, not even trying to get his snickering-fit under control again.
Jonghyun just glared at him. “Are you done laughing? Because I would like to get this over with,” the snapped, his words not completely true because as much as he hated Kibum it was strangely nice to spend some time with him outside of the competitive classrooms, surrounded by their friends and judging teachers.
“Don’t be so sensitive,” the younger mocked but stopped teasing the other. “It’s pretty easy actually, all you need to do is think of a powerful or happy memory and then you have it.”
“That’s what everybody says but it won’t work,” Jonghyun grumbled and kicked the ground, not even realizing that he was pouting.
“Then chose another memory,” Kibum suggested. “Just try it out until it works. Come on, take out your wand.”
Jonghyun took out his wand hesitantly, somewhat reluctant to perform a charm he knew he wouldn’t be able to pull of, in front of Kibum on top of that. His wand was made from light brown wood and other stuff he had forgotten over time because he was not one of those people who tried to define themselves based on their wand.
“Now, just think of something that makes you happy and try to create a patronus,” Kibum said, watching him curiously.
The older took a deep breath and thought back to the arrival of the first letter from Hogwarts, raising his wand and-
“Expecto patronum.”
…
Nothing happened and Kibum failed at trying to hide his amused grin. Jonghyun glared at him as he dared to snicker once again.
“I guess that was a fail,” the younger said with a laugh, making the older try to think back to another time he had heard the other laugh but no memory came to his mind so he chose to remember this one in case he wouldn’t hear it again because it honestly sounded really pretty to his ears. “Try another memory, something stronger.”
Jonghyun sighed and went through different memories, choosing one from last year where Gryffindor had won the Quidditch cup. He wasn’t part of the team like Minho but he had still been really happy about it.
He raised his wand again, flicking his wrist and speaking the charm but nothing happened.
“Are you sure you’re a wizard?” Kibum asked sneakily, laughing again as Jonghyun glared at him.
“Yes I am, thank you very much,” he snapped sulkily.
“Just making sure.”
Jonghyun went through at least five more memories but he slowly ran out of events that stuck out to him as something he had been really happy about. One time something had leaked from the tip of his wand but it had only been a pitiful attempt, Kibum even patting his shoulder while trying not to shriek another laugh. Jonghyun decided he would not tell him that he had just thought about the other’s laugh during this try.
“This is just sad,” he commented, taking out his own wand. Jonghyun liked his wand but Kibum’s was a whole other topic. It fitted his personality so well, the wood pitch black and thin like he could use it as a real combat weapon, faint silver lines twining their way up to the top and around the wood. Most wands were at least a bit crooked but Kibum’s was perfectly symmetrical and straight, simply speaking it was just beautiful and elegant...just like it’s owner.
“This is what it should look like,” Kibum said as he straightened his back and raised his wand slightly. “Expecto patronum.”
A small something jumped out of Kibum’s wand, composing to a fox’s body only a second later and jumping across the ground elegantly, slipping through the boy’s legs and disappearing into thin air after some moments since their wasn’t any threat directed at its caster.
Yes, Minho had been right. Kibum’s patronus really was beautiful… and no it had been Jonghyun who had said those things.
“You think you can get that?” Kibum asked after he hadn’t gotten any reaction from the older, Jonghyun shaking his head and blinking a few times like he had been daydreaming.
“Honestly,” he said, “I don’t think I’ll manage to create a patronus as pretty as that.”
Kibum blinked at the other dumbstruck, crooking his head a tiny bit, Jonghyun daring to grin at him cheekily after some moments. He obviously knew he had surprised the other with his statement and enjoyed every moment of it. The younger was back to glaring at him and whacked the back of the elder’s head with his wand.
“Whatever,” he snorted and put his wand away again. “You’ll just have to make a new memory I guess. If you know what could make you happy you can do it and maybe it’ll work after that.”
Jonghyun hummed as he thought about the suggestion. “I guess you’re right. There is that new broom if been wanting to buy...you wanna come with me?” The Gryffindor hadn’t thought twice about the offer, wondering where he had gotten the idea to take Kibum with him but he honestly couldn’t find himself to mind the other’s company.
Kibum looked at him suspiciously just like he had yesterday in front of the Great Hall, eyeing him up and down like he’d reveal his real intention when he did that. “Why would you ask me? Ask that beanpole you’re always with.”
“Minho? Nah, he’s busy with Quidditch practise and I know you need to go to Hogsmeade because of a project,” Kibum opened his mouth, “Overheard you talking to that fifth-year.”
The younger closed his mouth, debating the pros and cons for a while before he side-eyed the other again and rolled his eyes in defeat. Fine, let’s go this weekend then.”
Jonghyun grinned and nodded his head. “Sure thing, Kim.”
>Part 2<