Next to you

Chapter 14

The Hogwarts Express arrived at the station in the early afternoon. Snow was slowly falling down, whitening the scenery.

"Come on, Taotao, we need to catch the bus." Oscar said running holding Yetao's wrist. Why did the bus have to depart ten minutes after the arrival of the train? It could be so easy to reach it if they didn't have to carry their heavy cases. Luckily they managed to get on the bus one minute before the departure. They collapsed together in the back row.

"We did it." Yetao said panting.

"Yeah, a couple of hours and we will be home." Oscar responded.

"So you live in the countryside." Yetao asked.

"More or less. We live in the city, but during holidays we move to our countryside cottage. It's bigger so we can host our relatives." Oscar explained. "It's a nice and warm place. You will like it." He smiled at Yetao and he smiled back.

The bus ride was quiet and comfortable. They were both tired because they had to get up early to get on the train and run across the station, so now they got the chance to rest or take a nap, or at least this was what Oscar did for the whole ride.

"Oscar, I think we arrived." Yetao was touching Oscar's head that was resting on Yetao's shoulder.

Oscar got up quickly embarrassed. "Sorry." He mumbled, still sleepy.

Yetao smiled at him. "I don't mind. Come on, let's get off from here."

As soon as they got off the bus, Oscar saw his mother running to hug him. "Oh, my boy. Finally you're here."

"Mom, you're suffocating me." Oscar complained. Even so, he was happy to be home and see his mother.

She separated from him and looked at Yetao. "You must be Oscar's friend, Yetao. Welcome." She said with a warm smile and hugged him too. Yetao was pretty surprised by the woman's action as a blush started spreading on his cheeks. Oscar suffocated a laugh. "Well boys, it's freezing out here. Let's go home." She said, encircling both boy's shoulders with her arms.

After a brief car ride, they arrived at the cottage. As soon as they entered, both him and Yetao sighed contently for the warmth of the house.

"Go upstairs and settle in. Dinner will be ready in half an hour." Then she looked at Yetao. "I have made a bed for you in Oscar's room, dear. If you need anything, feel free to ask me."

"Wait what? In my room?" Oscar exclaimed. He hadn't considered this possibility when he invited Yetao over. There were many things that could go wrong, especially after their almost kiss.

"Of course, dummy. The guest room is for your cousins. They will be here tomorrow." Oscar's mother said.

"Great." He said with fake enthusiasm. His two cousins were snob twin Muggles boys of the same age as him. Of course they didn't know he was a wizard. They thought that he attended some kind of international school overseas or something. Oscar wasn't fond of them.

He led Yetao to his room. "I didn't know my cousins were coming here this year. If they say something inappropriate, just ignore them, okay?" He said to Yetao. He nodded.

They had a big dinner with Oscar's parents. His father came back just in time for the meal. He kindly introduced himself to Yetao. Thankfully, Oscar advised them ahead of time to not ask personal questions to Yetao in order to not let him feel uncomfortable. So the conversation was more directed to their school life.

"So you are pretty much a genius." Oscar's father said.

"I wouldn't go that far." Yetao said with a faint blush.

"He is an absolute genius. His grades and skills are perfect." Oscar said proudly.

"You should learn from him, Oscar." His mother said.

"Hey, I'm not so bad." He answered.

His mother ignored him and turned to Yetao. "Tell me, how is Oscar at school?"

"He's popular and always surrounded by friends." Yetao answered.

"Oh, I see. Is he a good friend to you?" She asked.

Yetao smiled. "He treats me very well."

"I must treat you well." Oscar said without thinking. He wanted to slap himself. Yetao was now looking at him with his pretty eyes. Oscar drank from his glass.

"I'm glad he takes good care of his friends." His mother said with a sweet smile. Oscar wanted this to end.

He sent a supplicant look to his father, who quickly got the message. His dad stood up. "Well, who wants dessert?"

Oscar couldn't sleep. Yetao's presence in his room was distracting him. And he could feel that Yetao was awake too.

"Taotao, are you sleeping?" He whispered cautiously.

"I'm not." Yetao answered.

"I'm sorry if my parents are a bit inappropriate." Oscar said. His parents talked too much during dinner and he didn't want Yetao to feel out of place.

"They are nice. You are so similar." Yetao said. Even if Oscar couldn't see in the dark, he knew from the tone of his voice that Yetao was smiling. It was a pity that he couldn't see his face.

"Really? I don't think so. But yeah, I look a bit like my mom I guess." Oscar answered.

"I didn't mean physical appearance. They are warm, just like you." Oscar didn't answer, but he was grateful to the darkness of the room, because he was sure that his expression would be so stupid right now. "Thank you." Yetao whispered at some point.

"For what?"

"For letting me stay here."

Oscar's heart ached. He knew that if it wasn't for him, Yetao would have to spend his Christmas holidays in the castle alone. Oscar wanted to stand up and hug him. "You're welcome." He said instead. "We should sleep. I'll show you around tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Oscar smiled in the dark.

When he woke up the next morning, Oscar thought he was still dreaming, because the sight that welcomed him was Hu Yetao doing a handstand and stretching his legs, his stomach exposed by his rolled up shirt. "W-what are you doing?" He asked, astonished. It was too early in the morning for this.

Yetao got down. "Good morning to you too." He said with a small laugh. "It's an old habit I have from the days I practiced dancing."

"D-dancing?" His brain couldn't elaborate on this new information.

"One of my pastimes. I started after the 'set on fire bullies' pants' incident. It's a good way to relieve stress." Yetao explained. "I'll let you watch some rehearsals if you want." He winked.

Oscar swallowed drily. This was too much for his heart. Yetao had just given him a wink and offered to show him his dancing. Oscar wanted to scream.

Thankfully his mental breakdown was interrupted by his mom, who asked the two of them to come down to have breakfast. When they arrived in the kitchen after washing and dressing up, they found Oscar's cousins seated.

"Good morning Oscar and Oscar's friend." They said with one voice.

Oscar felt a headache coming. "His name is Hu Yetao." He said dryly.

"Nice to meet you." Yetao said with a smile.

The twins looked at Yetao from head to toe with inquiring eyes. Oscar could feel Yetao's discomfort. "Always knew that our cousin's taste was questionable." Once again they spoke in one voice.

Oscar took Yetao's hand and led him to the door. "Mom, I'll have breakfast in town with Taotao." Oscar said loudly to make himself heard. Without waiting for his mother's answer, they left.

"Won't your mother be offended if we leave like this?" Yetao asked him once they were on the bus going to the town.

"Nah. Plus, she was the one who suggested to show you around and I can't stand those two." He answered. Then he smiled. "Well, are you ready to be a tourist?"

Yetao smiled back at him. "You bet."