Wingardium Jaywonsa

Late

"Niki, please hurry" said Jungwon, looking at his watch.
"I can't find my homework" replied Niki in a weird way because he was holding his wand between his teeth, looking under his bed.
"We're going to be late" said Jungwon, stressed. "Professor Lyptus already doesn't like us that much, we shouldn't arrive late."
"Better late with homework than on time without it" answered Niki. "Especially since we had to do this this summer. He'll be extremely mad if I show up without it."

Jungwon nodded, that did make sense. On the other hand, who gave homework during holidays?

"Found it!" screamed Niki, from bellow his bed.

He jumped back up, rolled parchment in hand. Jungwon shook his head. They had arrived yesterday, and Niki had already started loosing his things.

"Let's hurry now" said Jungwon, already turning around, ready to leave the Gryffindor boy dorm.

Wizard robes are quite cool, however, they're not the best when it comes to running around Hogwarts. Especially when one is late and one forgets about that one step of that one staircase that one should always jump over.
Obviously, Niki forgot about it and simply felt his foot being trapped in it.

"Won" he called, trying to get his foot out, fighting with his robes.
"Oh come on" whispered Jungwon between his teeth. "Even after three years?"

He came back and helped Niki escape the evil step.
A huge sigh left his mouth as he heard the familiar yet low sound his watch made.
They had exactly two minutes to get to class, otherwise they'd be late and professor Lyptus wouldn't let that pass. He had enchanted his watch to do this before every class they had, because somehow, they always got into some sort of trouble and were late a lot, which Jungwon hated.

"Niki, we've just started our fourth year in this school, can't you remember which steps you shouldn't walk o-" started Jungwon, without finishing his last word.

Niki instantly knew something was wrong. Jungwon would never stop mid-sentence while scolding him.

"What is it?" he asked, turning around.

However, Jungwon didn't need to answer his friend's question. Niki had seen what troubled Jungwon. Or rather, who had troubled him.

A tall Slytherin was coming their way. Not only did he have that extremely beautiful yet severe expression on his face that made everyone go crazy, but he also had something new this year.

A shining bright Prefect pins on his chest.

The Slytherin passed them by, quickly glancing at them, probably wondering why they weren't in class yet.

Class!

Jungwon had forgotten about class. As soon as the Prefect had disappeared from their sight, he started running again, closely followed by Niki.

The path until the Transfiguration classroom was tricky, and unfortunately for them, they did indeed arrive late.

A defeated expression on his face, Jungwon opened the classroom's door, mentally preparing himself for the scolding.

The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students were sitting silently as their teacher checked the attendances. As he heard the door, the latter glanced at them, followed by the students, curious to see who had arrived late.
Their teacher had piercing grey eyes that no one dared challenge.

"What happened this time?" asked professor Lyptus, slightly tilting his head.
"It's my fault professor" instantly replied Niki. "I had to look for my homework, and left the dorm later that I should have."

Jungwon felt a nod tightening in his stomach. He didn't know if this excuse would be enough. On the other hand, they were only one minute late.

"What about mister Yang?" asked the professor, fixing his eyes on him.
"Well, I, uh" started Jungwon, not really knowing how to explain.

He hated this feeling. Of course he didn't have to wait for Niki to go to class, but at the same time, he was his best friend. He wanted to go to class with him.

But it wouldn't hurt him not to be late though.

"It's my fault" repeated Niki. "He waited for me."

Jungwon felt grateful for Niki taking responsibility for it, but he wasn't sure how their professor would react.

Professor Lyptus looked at his watch and sighed.

"I have to salute your courage, I guess. Arriving late for my first class of the year is quite impressive" he said. "Joke aside, it is the last time you arrive late. Is that clear?"

The two friends instantly nodded, intimated to the bone.

"Since you like homework so much, could you please collect them all and place them on my desk, Mister Nishimura?" he added.

Jungwon felt relieved. "Just" being called out was the best that could have happened. He clearly didn't want to get detention on his first day of class.

He sat down at his usual place while Niki collected everyone's parchments.
The class started, and the professor gave them a lecture on a complicated transfiguration technique that they would be practicing later.

"Making me collect homework" mumbled Niki as he sat next to Jungwon.
"Be happy he didn't give us detention" whispered Jungwon, taking notes.
"True" replied Niki.

Things was, they often got in trouble, but it was rarely their fault. This had taken a toll on the Gryffindor points and they were trying not to loose any more. Jungwon was especially self aware of his actions this year, because he wanted to be nominated Prefect next year more than anything. That couldn't happen if he always got in trouble.

-

"This sucks" whispered Niki, as he unsuccessfully tried to transform his bird statue into a real bird.
"We better get this right" replied Jungwon, struggling just as much.

To be honest, the whole class was struggling, especially when professor Lyptus passed by their side to check on them.

"If we manage to do it, we could earn some points for Gryffindor" added Jungwon.

As if this has lit a sparkle in Niki's heart, the latter tried even harder.

As soon as professor Lyptus walked away from their desk, the boy in front of them turned himself to face the two friends.

"Did you guys figure it out?" he asked, eyes filled with hope.
"Nope" said Niki. "This is harder than anything we've ever tried."
"I know, right?" he replied. "How was your summer by the way?"
"Boring, as usual, how about you Hee?" asked Niki.
"Pretty cool actually, traveled with my family" explained Heeseung. "Jungwon?"

Jungwon didn't answer. His mind was focused on something else. Or rather... someone else.

"Is he okay?" asked the boy.
"I don't know, I think he's just focused on the exercise" replied Niki, perfectly knowing what was happening in Jungwon's brain.