𝓟𝓳𝓶 𝓼𝓶𝓾𝓽 (18+)

erised(m)

author:jamiasjoons.tumblr.com
⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦:〝 the last thing jimin had anticipated when he'd followed you into the room of requirement was to find you, the demure little head-girl, in front of the mirror of erised. moaning his name. 〞hogwarts au. pwp au.
❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: slytherin head-boy!jimin x hufflepuff head-girl!reader
❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mild angst ⋆ fluff ⋆ smut
❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 29k 🥴
⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: hard dom!jimin, big cock!jimin, possessive!jimin, sub!reader, virgin!reader, female masturbation, mirror sex, voyeurism, exhibitionism, teasing, minor thigh spanking, fingering, degradation, humiliation, dirty talk, corruption kink, biting, orgasm denial, orgasm control, begging, pussy slapping, marking, object play? he teases her with a vibrating wand, praise, object insertion, clit spanking, crying, begging, overstimulation, clit torture, forced orgasms, multiple orgasms, squirting, manhandling, spanking, minor anal play/teasing, power play/dnyamics, virgin sex, wet & mess sex, unprotected sex, once again jimin has a ᵖʰᵃᵗ cock, kneeling doggy style (kind of oath sex position), mild pain kink, rough sex, hair pulling, creampie, brief cum play
➵ 𝑎/𝑛: sol writing a jimin au? truly, it must be a miracle,,,,, this really was supposed to only be a 5k commission,,, but i thot if i need to suffer and write for jimin,,,, perhaps i should suffer and write him an entire au with plot,, just like he deserves 😌
⏤ commissioned by @opaljm​​ in exchange for a blm donation // beta read the these lovely people: @yeoldontknow​, @luffles424​, @peekaboongi​, @sunshinekims​, @inthecrescentmoonight​, @tricethecharm​, @jjungkooksthighs​, @dontaskshhhhh​ and @nervouskiwi​!!

⏤ disclaimer: in order to ensure all characters are 18+, i've tweaked the hogwarts curriculum to include 'apprenticeships' and 'masterships', essentially wizarding equivalent of graduates/post-grad, and as a result, yn is 21 and jimin is 22!! // additional disclaimer: i know absolutely fuck all about tarot cards and readings and therefore thank you to the lovely @yeoldontknow​ for picking which cards to use as well as giving me the explanations/details of the reading!
⇥ this ones for all my kinky virgins out there, hope y'all stay freaks 😤

Hidden in the private dorms of the Potions Apprentice Quarters, you sit on the floor in the common room. Large, arched windows litter one side of the room, charmed - just like the Great Hall's ceiling - to reflect the weather outside of the castle. Though, unlike the Great Hall, the charm could be turned off at will - allowing a magnificent, if not eerie, view of the underwaters of the Black Lake and all of its creatures. Currently, the charm is off, and the lake's murky waters cast a dark hue to the room, bathing everything with a dark-teal tinge. Dark, crushed-velvet curtains drape down from the ceiling, the velour fabric only adding to the ominous scene of the Black Lake.
Despite the dismally grim sight of the lake, the rest of the common room is pleasant, and homely - if a little cold. With the space shared by all Potion's Apprentices, from years eight to ten, regardless of the house, the interior is decorated in shades of black and grey rather than Hogwarts House colours. Dark, almost black, wenge wood furniture litters the room: from the large beams that run across the ceiling - holding onto the chandeliers, to the towering bookcases that fringe one wall of the room - brimming with rare potion tomes; as well as the glass-lined cabinets that cluster one corner of the room - teeming with vials and flasks of all sorts of potioneering ingredients.
The carpet that lines the flooring, however, is a light shade of mottled grey - the material piled and shaggy, and oh so soft under bare feet. Lavish leather sofas and armchairs of smoke-grey sit in one corner of the room, right beside the ornate brick fireplace; and a large frame of white gold hangs above the mantelpiece, containing the portrait of Gunhilda de Gorsemoor: a gifted potioneer who had developed the cure for Dragon Pox in the sixteenth century. Potions tables occupy the far corner, right beside the ingredients cabinets; each surface littered with a series of flasks and beakers, as well as glass phials, a pestle and mortar, various ingredient prepping tools; and, of course, a cauldron.
A sudden chill runs through the air, causing a shudder to run down your spine. It's the middle of November, and yet, somehow the air feels colder in the common room. Though, you have a feeling that's more to do with the fact that the dormitory is located in a far corner of the Hogwarts Dungeons, as well as being surrounded by the cold waters of the Black Lake. You don't know why, perhaps it was just an oversight, but the temperature of the dungeons had always been bitterly biting. As a result, you nestled further into the warmth of the furry blanket laid over your lap - a gracious comfort from the brisk chill in the air. You've been living in the Apprentice Quarters for almost three years now, and yet, you're still not used to the frigid temperatures of your dorms. To be honest, you don't think you ever will.
Of course, being a Hufflepuff, you'd spent seven years on the floor just above - the common room located in the basement of Hogwarts. Alas, contrary to the dungeons, the basement is warm, in particular the Hufflepuff Common Room, and so, these past three years, you've struggled with the cold. Part of you wishes you were still within the comfort of the dorms you'd spent the better part of your Hogwarts Career in. However, after graduating from seventh year, you'd immediately applied for an apprenticeship in Potions. Upon having succeeded in your application, it had meant you'd had to move into the Dungeons, and from the Hufflepuff Dorms to the Potions Apprentice Quarters - a living space you currently share with Park Jimin.
Speaking of Jimin, he sits beside you and, unlike you, the cold doesn't seem to bother him one bit. In fact, on the contrary to your body huddled into the shaggy comforter, the Slytherin Head Boy is casually pouring over the table: his back bent as his dark eyes skim across the parchment paper. His cloak rests casually on the sofa's armrest, his sleeves rolled to his elbows and hair dangling in front of his eyes. You don't know how he does it; how he so easily braces himself against the cold. Though, it could be because he's spent ten years in the dungeons now - having acclimated to the cold over the decade.
From the corner of your peripheral vision, you take in the Head Boy. Naturally, you and Jimin had grown up together throughout your time at Hogwarts. And so, you've seen him change from the pudgy little eleven-year-old boy he was, to the man he is now. At twenty-two, Park Jimin is every bit the Pureblood Aristocrat he was born and bred to be: with dark pine-green hair that falls like silk around his face and sharp, cunning eyes - nestled between soft lids - that could stare into your soul and discover your deepest, darkest secrets (without the use of Legilimency).
Eyes scanning over his form, you watch as his lips quirk in concentration, his own gaze skimming across the large potions textbook as he jots down his notes. Against your will, your stare is pulled toward his hands. One is splayed onto the textbook, his pointer finger marking his current space on the page. The other glides across the parchment in front of him, his Eagle Quill scrawling over the paper in balletic movements as he jots down his notes. The gracefulness of the motions immediately captures your attention. His hands always surprise you, no matter what they're doing. They're somewhat small, and on the thick side - and a lot of the time they look incredibly cute. However, sometimes - like now - you're surprised by how... attractive they are.
His fingers loosely grip the quill, the flexion of his knuckles practically mesmerising you as they protrude through his smooth, creamy skin. The bony features of his digits, and knuckles, are only emphasised by the thick rhodium ring he wears on his middle finger: the palatial band studded with gems of dark lilac and ebony. You have no doubt that it'd cost a fortune. Though, it's probably closer to priceless; and most likely an antique, Park family heirloom. The backs of his hands are vascularised, and with each movement, you note the way the prominent vein bulges. You don't know what he's writing, but whatever it is, you know it's probably incredibly advanced. In fact, it wouldn't surprise you if he were scribbling different ingredients and their uses down, so he could create his own concoctions.
When you'd first moved in with Jimin, three years ago at the start of your apprenticeship, you'd been surprised by how often he'd actually studied. Particularly because Jimin was naturally gifted in Potions, and on his way to being one of the most skillful Potioneers the Wizarding World had ever seen. Thus, it was no surprise when you'd found out he was the other chosen Potions Apprentice for your year. Soft sigh drawing from your lips, you turn your attention back to your task at hand. Or well, tasks.
Juxtaposingly to Jimin, you were by no means a Potions Genius. Of course, you loved the subject, it's just that you had to work a little harder in order to keep your grades up. Hence, the sight that greets you. Three pewter cauldrons sit on the table in front of you; the corners of your lips quirked into a frown as you inspect them. One of the pots contains a deep burgundy liquid, the potion rippling blood-red under the lighting of the torch sconces; signifying its completion. As a result, it's the only one that's set to the side. The other two still bubble over the bunsen burner: the left shimmers a pale, pearlescent lilac, while the right is a strange, putrid puce colouring that has you worried.
With a glance down to the potion tome beside you, your frown deepens. At this stage in the potion's brewing, it should be a soft orange shade, not fetid-green. A low hum of distress emanates from your throat while you skim down the recipe - wondering just where you'd gone wrong. No matter how much you scour the textbook, you simply can't seem to find it, and slowly, you grow more desperate. Especially as the potion's critical stage approaches. You need to add minced Puffer-Fish soon, but if you add it now, when something is clearly wrong, you don't know what will happen. Though, you doknow it will result in a useless potion.
Without warning, "You didn't powder the Bone fine enough," comes a husky voice. The sound vibrates right beside your ear, a warm breath simultaneously fanning across the outer shell of your ear. Abruptly, you jump in your seat, almost knocking the brass scales holding your meticulously measured Puffer-Fish mince to the floor.
Almost as if he'd anticipated your movement, Jimin's hand shoots out to steady the apparatus. Although, even as his arm moves, he stays unbelievably close to you, and the proximity of his pillowy mouth next to your ears has goosebumps pricking at your skin. Angling your head, you come face to face with him, your eyes going wide. Directly adjacent to yours, his lips are just a hair's breadth from yours - so close, in fact, that they virtually graze against yours. Heat creeps up: from the base of your throat, all the way up to the tips of your ears; and not expecting him to be so near, you jolt away.
The motion causes Jimin to quirk a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at you, and his reaction only has the flush to your cheeks deepening. Ducking your head down, you tuck a stray hair behind your ear, and, "Oh... I didn't realise," you mutter under your breath.
The instant the words fall from your lips you blanch, internally kicking yourself. I didn't realise. What a joke. You'd fucked up your entire potion and all you could say was I didn't realise. By Morgana, you wish the ground would open up and swallow you whole. Here you are, a Potions Apprentice, and you hadn't realised the bone wasn't powdered fine enough. How had you even made it here? Especially since the potion you'd managed to botch was the Skele-Gro potion; one taught to second years. Meanwhile, your Blood-Replenishing potion, an expert recipe, is completely perfect and complete.
If Jimin cares about your response, he doesn't say anything. Rather, he gestures towards your cauldron. "Why are you brewing three potions at once? Even brewing onerequires all your attention and concentration," he states plainly, causing you to wince imperceptibly. He doesn't mean to, but inadvertently, he's rubbed salt into your wound.
"Madam Pomfrey's running out of certain potions and I offered to help replenish them," you reply, your voice coming out quieter than you'd intended to. Jimin simply hums.
"I guess that explains the potions you're making. I was almost worried," he says, his soft lips pulling tight as a lop-sided smirk crawls onto his mouth.
Not understanding, your eyebrows knit together. "Worried?" you frown. Jimin's smirk only deepens, before he lounges back on the cream sofa. The movement draws attention to his strong body, his toned muscles bulging under his shirt, while his thighs strain against the tight material of his slacks.
"I mean, you're brewing Blood-Replenishing, Skele-Gro and Wound-Cleaning potions out of the blue, any sensible person would be worried about their safety. I was starting to fear that you'd hex me, and then heal me before I could report you," he jokes.
Swiftly, your jaw drops, and hastily shaking your head, "I would never-" you begin retorting, only for Jimin to hold up a hand and halt you.
"Yes, yes, you would never hurt me. Or anyone for that matter. I know, ____. It was just a joke," Jimin cuts you off with a chuckle. "Besides, you're too much of a Hufflepuff to think of anything so cunning," he continues. His words have you blushing harder, your bottom lip protruding in a slight pout. After a brief pause, he nods to your cauldrons once again. "Anyway, that doesn't explain why you're brewing three at a time," he says, his sentence phrased more like a question. With a sigh, you feel your shoulders deflate with weariness and lifting up a hand, you rub the bridge of your nose.
"She needs them as soon as possible. Quidditch games are going to start soon, and she'll need all her potions restocked by then. If I don't get them out of the way today, I won't have any time to do them between Head Girl Duties and the Apprenticeship," you answer
"Hmm... Still though... three potions at once is a lot. More than that, if they're healing potions, you need to be even more careful. One wrong step and it could mean the difference between life and death," he lectures. You know he means it well, and he doesn't mean to upset you, but you can't help the way your stomach sinks at his words.
He's completely right - potion making, at its heart, is both a science and an artform. Of course, most magic requires careful consideration, however, potions even more so. Namely because, as he'd said, the slightest error could change the entire nature of the potion. That exact reason is why you're here, as a Potion's Apprentice. You see, your life's dream is to qualify as a Healer, and in order to be a Healer, you now need to have some sort of post-N.E.W.T qualifications in either Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts or Herbology. Of course, it hadn't always been like this. Before the Second Wizarding War, once a student had graduated from Hogwarts, they would be required to enter into a Healer's program, or any job really, straight away.
However, once Voldemort had been defeated, the entire Wizarding World had needed to rebuild itself - having lost too much in the aftermath of the Final Battle. In a way, it had been somewhat of a - morbid - blessing; mainly because, it had meant that the stagnating magical community had grown and bolstered itself into the twenty-first century. One of the consequenting changes, had been the reintroduction of Apprenticeships and Masterships, meaning that students now had an option to gain an extra qualification or two that would better prepare them for the future jobs - kind of similar to the muggle equivalent of university. Though, of course, these apprenticeships continued through Hogwarts, rather than a separate magical institute.
Naturally, with your dream job being a healer, you'd taken up the Potion's Apprenticeship. Mostly due to the fact that you want to work in the Cures and Remedies Department of St. Mungo's: a department dedicated to brewing potions, as well as creating new ones for the ever-developing medical needs in the Wizarding Community. Which is also why Jimin's lecture hits you harder. If you were already making such silly mistakes, you'll sooner fail your dream than achieve it - and probably kill or harm a few people while you're at it.
Realising that Jimin had stopped talking, a tense silence befalling the two of you while you wallow in self-pity, "I'm sorry," you mutter under your breath. As soon as he hears the despondent tone to your voice, Jimin's face softens.
"No need to apologise, you didn't do it maliciously," Jimin says. Then, nudging your knee with his foot, "Scoot over," he says.
Eyebrows creasing, curiosity colours your face as you watch him close his book, before waving his wand and muttering a couple spells under his breath. Immediately, his parchment rolls up into a scroll, before flying through the air and into his bedroom; along with the rest of his things. Once he's cleared his stuff, he scuttles off of the sofa, and onto the floor beside you. In your confusion, you hadn't moved quick enough, and as a result, Jimin's crossed knee falls onto your lap. With a blank stare, you glance down at his thick thigh, and feeling the weight of his limb onto yours, you quickly kick yourself into motion.
Shuffling to the side, you make space for Jimin, the Head Boy slotting into the space next to you and under your blanket - the cover draping over his own lap. In your new position, he's now level with you, your pantyhose-clad knee brushing against his while your shoulders practically touch. He's close enough that the scent of his expensive cologne is more prominent: notes of sandalwood and bergamot dancing in the air and through your senses. The woodsy-sweet aroma virtually entrances you, your head swimming with the beguiling fragrances and beckoning you to sink deep into them. For a moment, you take a deep, albeit subtle, breath - wanting to breathe it in even more. Nonetheless, Jimin's voice is swiftly breaking you out of your trance.
"You need to add minced Puffer-Fish to this, right?" he asks as he peers at the Skele-Gro potion, the rancid-green liquid still bubbling under the high heat of your bunsen burner. Abruptly coming to your senses, you nod, trying to ignore the fuzzy warmth that settles in the pits of your stomach. "If you add it now, it's most likely going to result in Skele-Gro," Jimin mumbles, and hearing him, you immediately perk up. Perhaps all wasn't lost yet. That is, until you hear him continue. "Except... it will probably result in the bones continuously growing without stopping - even once they've fixed themselves."
"Oh. So I need to start over?" you ask as you pull your bottom teeth between your lips. Did you even have time for that? Or ingredients? If you go down to Slughorn's Office in order to get a fresh supply, he'll most likely question why and you'd rather notexplain that it's because you'd been incompetent enough to mess up a second year level potion.
Jimin hums in thought. "No, I don't think so. You're also brewing Wound-Cleaning Potion, yes? That means you have Dittany Essence?" he asks, causing you to nod and pass him the dark-blue vial. "Adding three drops should counteract the effects and bring it back to what it's supposed to be," he continues, and you watch as he uncaps the glass bottle, before carefully pipetting exactly three drops of the solution into the cauldron. After placing the Dittany Essence back down, he stirs the potion anticlockwise five-times, and you observe in complete awe as the potion returns to a pale orange - the exact colour it's supposed to be.
"How did you...?" you breathe out, astonishment heavily lacing your voice. Beside you, Jimin simply shrugs.
"It's a common mistake second years make when brewing Skele-Gro... not powdering the bone finely enough, I mean. Adding three drops of Dittany Essence and then stirring anticlockwise five times brings it back," he replies casually. Despite his nonchalant tone, though, you find your body slackening with defeat.
"I can't believe I made such a stupid mistake..." you mumble under your breath. The self-deprecating tone to your voice has Jimin clicking his tongue at you in a tut as he nudges your knee with his.
"Don't beat yourself up over it. You're brewing three potions at once - and two of them are advanced potions. Both of which you've brewed perfectly so far. You probably didn't notice that the powdered bone wasn't fine enough because you didn't expect to mess up a simple potion," Jimin immediately says - in a bid to comfort you. It works, because swiftly, you feel your stomach flip: butterflies blooming in the pits of your abdomen at his praise.
Against your will, a smile creeps onto your face - the corners of your lips tugging, and, "Thank you," you mutter under your breath. A tinkling laugh slips through Jimin's lips, and he bumps his shoulder into yours.
"You're a perfectionist and a hard worker, ____. Both of those traits make a good Potioneer, ____. Which you are. If you weren't, you wouldn't be here. You need to stop beating yourself up over small things," he continues. His face is twisted into a bright smile, his plump lips stretched thin and displaying his teeth, as the apples of his cheeks bunch under his eyes - causing his eyelids to slit into thin, crescent-moons. Your own lips tug into a sheepish smile, and you look at him gratefully.
"I know... it's just such a silly mistake," you respond.
Jimin snorts at your answer, and, "Everyone makes silly mistakes. Even a Potions Master or Mistress. It's inevitable with the amount of potions we brew," he scoffs. His words placate you even further, and you feel your earlier upset fade to nothingness - replaced by ease. Sensing the fact that you've perked up, Jimin grabs the rest of the prepared ingredients for the Skele-Gro potion. You look at him in surprise, Jimin simply smiling kindly in response.
"Why don't you focus on the Wound-Cleaning potion? I'll finish up the Skele-Gro," he suggests. Swiftly, you shake your head.
"No, no. It's okay! I'll be more careful! You don't need to help if you're busy," you quickly refuse - not wanting to be a burden - as you reach for the ingredients once again. Jimin simply scowls, and holding out his arms, he uses his strength to bar your hands from touching the tray.
"I'm not busy - I was just doing some light research on Phoenix Tears. Now be a goodgirl and let me help you," he hisses. The instant the command falls from his lips, you feel your stomach twist, and your eyes widen slightly at the command. For a moment you still, not expecting them. There's a playful lilt to his voice, and you know he doesn't mean anything by it; yet, you still find your arms obediently dropping to your side.
Head ducking down, you turn your gaze to the surface of the table in front of you, in an attempt to hide your face from Jimin's view. It would not do well for him to see the barest hint of a blush on your face. Especially since he hadn't meant it in that way in the first place. Nodding your head, you acquiesce to him, and begin working on your potion once again; Jimin taking over for the second one.
The two of you work in near silence - the quiet broken up by the sounds of the bubbling potion, and the hissing of the fire. Intermittently, the blunt sound of chopping or the sound of the pestle grinding into the mortar echoes through the air: the two of you continuously prepping your ingredients as you brew your potion. With how close you are to each other, you practically invade each other's space, and yet, as if by magic, neither of you get into each other's way. While you concoct your respective draughts, every now and then, you find your attention wandering towards Jimin.
In the midst of brewing, Jimin is fascinatingly exquisite. That's the only way you could describe it. Warm honey-kissed skin glows under the saffron lights of your dorms, the high arcs of his cheekbones glistening with every movement. The button of his nose is slightly scrunched, and similarly, his lips are pulled into a tight purse: his entire visage an epitome of concentration. The potion is easy, and an elixir he could very well brew in his sleep. Nevertheless, he focuses on each and every one of his actions, working meticulously and methodically as he concocts his potion.
Deft hands move expertly, alternating from preparing the different ingredients and adding them to the mixture, to carefully stirring the potion. Umber eyes scrupulously watch the simmering cauldron, his keenly trained gaze observing the elixir for even the slightest changes. You have no doubt that under his ever watchful eyes, the potion will be of the highest quality, even with how relatively easy it is to create. At some point, you finish your potion, and turning off of your bunsen burner, you turn your attention to Jimin. Unable to help yourself, you find yourself completely lost in how he effortlessly works; each movement, each gesture, completely second nature to him. It's an artform. It has to be. At least, with the way he works it is.
You don't know how long you watch him - but with each second that passes, you note something more about Jimin. You notice the way his eyes light up every time he successfully completes a stage, and the way the soft skin of his eyelids flutter, thick eyelashes kissing his cheeks, every time he blinks. You notice the slight sheen of perspiration that coats the back of his neck, most likely from the heat of the bunsen burner, rather than tenseness. Mesmerised by the movement, you follow a single drop of sweat - watching the way it trails down the thick curve of his neck and over the subtle bulge of his Adam's apple, before percolating into the collar of his shirt.
Out of the blue, Jimin lets out a deep sigh, and with how intensely you observe him, you notice the way his shoulders ease - the movement so faint your eyes essentially strain to spot the movement. The motion is surprising, because the potion is easy, and yet, he still felt some level of tension. Though, that only leads you to appreciate him and his love for potions even more. Potion Making is easy for Jimin, and for the greatest part of it, it comes instinctually to him - but still, he takes the utmost care with each brew - no matter what the difficulty.
A strained groan resonates through the air, Jimin's throat rumbling as he stretches out the kinks in his muscles. Thoughtlessly, he lifts his arms above his head, the muscles of his biceps pulling taut against the material of his shirt, and the motion causes the hem of his shirt to rise above the waistband of his black slacks. Against your will, your gaze finds itself drawn towards his waist, your eyes honing in on the sliver of his smooth skin of his hips that peeks through the gap. You don't eye it for long, however, because as soon as it comes it's gone, Jimin's hands drop down to his sides; the shirt's hem consequently falling back into place.
"Are you all done?" his voice suddenly tears through the silence, and abruptly, your eyes snap back up to his - watching as he flicks off the flame under his cauldron.
"W-What?" you stutter, prompting Jimin to arch a strong eyebrow.
"Are you done with the Wound-Cleaning potion?" Jimin reiterates, purposely enunciating each of his words. Owlishly, you blink at him, your stare completely blank. At the same time, your brain slowly processes his words, your mind still slightly spellbound by his previous beguile, and eventually, you process his words.
Jerking slightly, "Yes!" you practically yelp, only to wince at the loudness of your own voice. Swiftly, you compose yourself, and clearing your throat, "Sorry... yes. I'm done," you mumble. A look of concern flashes across Jimin's face, and carefully he sweeps his gaze over you.
"Are you okay?" he asks, and the clear worry etched into his voice has your heart fluttering.
"Y-Yes," you squeak out, wanting nothing more than to bury yourself into the blanket over your laps. For a fleeting instant, Jimin watches you carefully, and momentarily, you fear he's going to press you further. Nonetheless, a couple of seconds later, he's shrugging you off.
Glancing at the grandfather clock nestled in one unassuming corner of your shared common room, "Oh wow. Has it really been that long? It's almost dinner time," he murmurs, an astonished inflexion lacing his voice. Following his gaze, your own eyebrows widen when you spot the ornate clock, the baroque hands reading six-thirty. "I'm going to go shower and then head down," Jimin begins as he gets up from his space beside you. His movement causes the blanket to partially fall off of your lap, exposing your right leg to the air, and involuntarily, you shudder at the cold.
"Go on then, I'll wait for you," you readily respond as you pull the blanket back over your lap. Drawn up to his full height, Jimin looks down at you curiously.
"Are you sure? I may be a while," he replies, causing you to shrug and wave him off.
Waving your wand, you mutter an 'Accio' and summon a book from the shelves that line one wall of the common room. "Take as long as you need. I'm not hungry right now anyway. We can go down together when you're done," comes your own response.
Spinning on the heels of his Dragonhide boots, "Alright then. Thanks, ____," he calls out as he walks back towards the bathroom. Your only response in a noncommittal hum, your attention already drawn to the book.
It's almost half an hour later, when you hear Jimin return from the shower. Automatically peering up from your book, you move to close it - now more than hungry and ready to go down to dinner. Nonetheless, the moment you spot Jimin, you find yourself freezing. The door to the bathroom is wide open, clouds of steam gently drifting through the threshold and dancing around his frame as he steps into the common room. However, it's not the water vapour that has your attention. No. it's Jimin.
The very Jimin who is dressed in nothing but a thick towel wrapped around his waist.
Park Jimin is by no means short. Of course, compared to some of the other wizards that inhabit the castle, he's not considered tall either. Nonetheless, he stands imposingly - a raw, powerful swagger that rolls off of his demeanour with every movement. It's no wonder he's considered the Slytherin Prince, and as he practically saunters out of the bathroom, with just a towel hanging off of his otherwise naked frame, you can't help but feel that domineering aura. Droplets of water bead his skin, forming little rivulets as they run down his body and towards the hem of his towel.
The sheen of water that glazes his flesh catches the torchlight that surrounds you, causing his skin to glisten as he's encased in a halo of gold. His hair is slightly damp, the deep green shade blackening to onyx; the wet tips sticking to his face. Helpless under his charm, your eyes trail down his body: from the corded muscles of his shoulders, down the smooth expanse of his torso - stopping briefly to take in the dusky-mauve nipples that grace his pectorals - and along the faint outline of his abs. When you get to the hem of the towel, your eyes coast over the definition of his hips: your heated stare charting the prominent 'v' that carves itself into his pelvis.
Trailing your gaze further down, you level it at his covered crotch. The terry cloth material of his towel is bulky, and effectively hides the rest off his body from your gaze - the bottom edge grazing just past his knees. Still, as he walks, you spot the barest hint of his muscular thigh - the limb peeking through the slit of the towel as he walks towards his bedroom. With each movement, heat flashes across your skin, your spine tingling as you find your stare honed in on his pelvis.
Then, all of a sudden, he's stopping.
"See something you like, Sweetheart?" Jimin drawls, his voice cutting the terse silence that enwraps the room. Abruptly, you break from your trance, your gaze snapping up to his face.
His arms are crossed across his chest: the sinewy muscles of his biceps bulging under the movement; and his hip is cocked to the side, his knee sticking out through the fabric of his towel as he gazes at you. Wry, but voluptuous, lips are twisted: the thick petals of his mouth pulled in a lop-sided smirk, his teeth poking between the seam - almost predatorily; and taupe-brown eyes twinkle with mischief: a playful light dancing in the onyx depths. From the knowing glint to them, you know he's spotted you brazenly devouring him with your gaze.
Heat immediately crawls over your cheeks, and you audible swallow, your throat suddenly tight. "N-No," you squeak out, your head ducking further under the cover of your book. Though, even as you do that, your eyes peek over the edge - an action Jimin easily catches.
Smirk widening into a wolfish grin, "Are you sure, Princess?" he purrs and, hearing the nickname, you can't help the way your stomach knots in the pit of your abdomen.
"Y-Yes," you stammer, your body curling further into the side of the sofa - in a bid to make yourself seem smaller. Jimin hums in response. The deep tremors reverberate through the air, echoing through the quiet common room and causing your breath to hitch.
Jimin's tongue pokes out through the seam of his pouty mouth, and after swiping it across the plush bottom lip, he pulls the petal between his teeth. The act is incredibly enticing: the plush flesh slowly slipping from under his incisors before plumping out once more. Entranced by the movement, your eyes narrow onto his lips, and you suddenly feel your throat run dry. Spotting the way your attention focuses onto his mouth, Jimin lets out a low chuckle, and hearing the rich sound vibrate through the air, you inhale a sharp audible breath.
The sound resonates through the common room, heightened by the quiet - and swiftly, you feel the heat that stains your skin intensify. Body burning under your own embarrassment, you practically curl into the foetal position: your knees pulling towards your chest, a small squeak emanating through your mouth. Hearing the sound, Jimin simply chuckles again, and this time, taking pity on your form, he drops the subject and walks towards his bedroom.
"Cute," he laughs you off as he shuts the door to his private room. The moment you hear that word, you can't help the pout that forms onto your face, nor the way you blush ever harder.
Cute.
God you hated when he teased you like that. Partly because of the way a fuzzy warmth settles into your stomach, and partly because you know that's all you'll ever be to Park Jimin.
Cute.
Having lived with Jimin for three years, you think you know him pretty well. You know him well enough to know that he keeps Sugar Quills hidden around the dorm, practically addicted to the confectionery; and that he writes letters to his mother once a week, usually on Saturday, in his free time. You know that when he's had a particularly hard week, he unwinds by reading his prized, first edition copy of 'The Twelve Uses of Dragon's Blood' - a tome he's had to have read thousands of times by now. You know that despite him being the heir to the Park name - an age old, aristocratic pureblood line that dates back centuries - he doesn't care about status, or power, and rather judges people on their own merits and hardwork.
You also know that Park Jimin, as sweet as he is, is the biggest playboy the school has ever seen - actively flirting with any and all the other apprentices from the other subjects. It's not like he could help it. In fact, you're sure that it's practically ingrained in his nature. Though, when he looks like that - a frightening middle between incredibly adorable and devastatingly sexy - you sort of understand it. Because if you looked like that, you'd take any and every opportunity to use it as best as you could. And Park Jimin definitely used his allure
A terrifying mix of cunning, ambitious, sweet and distressingly handsome, Park Jimin has probably broken more hearts than you can count; and is most likely the sole reason for every Apprentice's wet dreams. Girls flocked to him, and boys wanted to be him - so it's no surprise that Jimin was highly sought after - nor that he was the biggest flirt you've ever met. Hence why you hated when he flirted with you. Mostly because, you know he never does it seriously. And also because the last thing any of the girls he actually flirts with are, is cute.
You would know.
You've seen them sneak out of your dorms on the off chance he brings them over. Though, more often than not, he tends to sneak into their private quarters. That is, of course, if they aren't one of the Potions Apprentices from the lower years. You and Jimin being in your third year of the Apprentice program, and your tenth and final year of Hogwarts. That is, of course, unless either of you choose to do your Mastership - which would be another five years.
If you're being honest, you don't really have anything against being cute - mainly because when he says it, he says it with a sweet smile. What you do have against it, however, is that he says it almost as if you're a child, and not a grown, twenty-one-year-old woman. Though, that may be more to do with your own shyness and inexperience; especially in terms of the opposite sex. But still, you couldn't deny that it hurts sharing a dorm with Jimin, and being in such close proximity, and yet still having him not be attracted to you.
Sure, he flirts with you - using any opportunity he can get to tease the ever-loving hell out of you. But it's not like he means it, or that he ever takes it any further than his flirtatious banter. Not like he does with most other girls. No. When Jimin flirts with you, there's always an air of jest, and restraint around him. He doesn't stare at you with his smouldering gaze - as if he could devour you whole with just his eyes. He doesn't lower his voice to that raspy husk of his - the one that is filled with a promise of sin. And he definitely doesn't exude that same aura of raw dominance - the one that has most girls' cores trembling with an ache that only he can satiate.
Of course, what you do have, in comparison to those other girls, is Jimin's friendship - which is more than you can say for most of them. Particularly because most of Jimin's friends tend to be the other guys on the Apprentice Program. After all, it's hard to befriend the people you're constantly trying to sleep with, or have slept with. You think. You don't really know... You know, considering your own sexual inexperience with other men. Yes, Jimin has never shown any interest in you, and he's never really flirted with you seriously, but at least you can say that you're actual friends, and that you get on with each other beyond wanting to tear each other's clothes off.
Although, needless to say, you doubt he's ever thought of tearing your clothes off.
Which is... not something you can say about yourself.
Lost in your own thoughts, you don't notice Jimin return - now fully dressed. At least, not until you feel his plush lips ghost against your ear. "Are you ready to go?" comes the low, sultry purr of his voice. Not expecting the sound, you immediately jump in your seat, your head whipping to the side as you stare at him wide eyed. Once again, you come face to face with him - the proximity making you jerk back with a strangled cry.
"Jimin!" you shriek in surprise, and your choked yelp has the Head Boy bursting into a peal of laughter. Heart thundering within the confines of your chest, and the ever-present flush of embarrassment painting your cheeks once again, "Stop doing that!" you chastise, your face twisting into a sulk as you glare at him. Entire body wracked with laughter, Jimin heaves for air as he tries to catch his breath - short gasps breaking through his howling.
When he continues to laugh, your lips twist into a deeper pout, and your glare intensifies; and sensing your rising ire, Jimin swiftly holds up his hands in a motion of surrender. "Sorry, Sorry. You were just so lost in thought, I couldn't help it," he chuckles while wiping his teary eyes. "What were you thinking about that had you so enraptured?" he asks, an impudent smile etched onto his lips. Remembering just whatyou'd been thinking about, your blush deepens, and you swiftly shake your head.
"Nothing!" you quickly interject. The abruptness of your answer has Jimin cocking his eyebrow, and eyes narrowing playfully, he looks at you - mischief dancing in his dark eyes.
"Oh? Doesn't sound like nothing," he purrs. Then, eyes widening in thought, a smirk creeps onto his face, "Hmmm. Were you thinking about me? Maybe something along the lines about how you'd seen me in just a towel a little earlier?" he croons, and you suck in a sharp breath at the low huskiness to his voice. That's a first.
Pulling your lip between your teeth, you swiftly shake your head while throwing the blanket off of you. "N-No. I was thinking a-about how h-hungry I am," you quickly snap, wincing slightly at the shakiness to your voice. It's a brazen lie. Even you don't believe you. And there's no way in hell that Jimin does, at least not from the sly smirk curled onto his lips.
"Are you now? Hungry for food, or something else?" he teasingly quips, causing you to huff.
"S-Shut up. Let's just go," you mutter under your breath, your head angled to the ground as to try to hide your own mortification.
Jimin simply laughs at you, his shoulders shaking with mirth, "Whatever you say, Princess."
image
On the seventh floor of the North Tower, the next day, you sit in the Divination classroom. Warped shelves frame the circular room, cluttered with various odd curios. Fading tarot cards, argentate scrying mirrors and lustrous crystal balls fill half of the shelves; china teacups, dust-lined feathers, and candle stubs filling the other half. Wooden furniture crams the room, the walnut timber long since scratched, chipped and faded: ravaged with time as some edges collect dust. The classroom is dim, with a few shafts of mellowed sunlight filtering through the greyed, heavy velvet curtains that hang from the tops of the arched windows.
Chandeliers dangled by wrought iron chains - and sheer, red scarves cover the lamps, bathing the room in an eerie crimson glow. A fireplace sits in the front of the room - right by Professor Trelawney's table - the amber fire flickering behind cast iron grating. Though, rather than illuminating the space in its light, the dancing flames only add to the arcane feel surrounding the room. A brass kettle swings over the hearth as the tea leaves steep; and a sweet, woody scent wafts through the room. Sat at one of the many round tables nestled inside the room, you sink further into the paisley upholstered armchair, watching as the girl opposite you shuffles the Tarot deck effortlessly.
"Do you want a specific reading?" Eve, the eighth year prefect, asks.
Shrugging noncommittally, "Just whatever," you reply. Eve huffs for a second time, blowing a thick black curl out of her eyes before glaring at you.
"You could at least attempt to take Divination seriously you know, even if you don't believe in it," she scolds.
Sending her an apologetic smile, "You know I'm only here to help you with your Divination homework." Once again, Eve huffs. Nonetheless, with the way her shoulders relax, you know she doesn't take offence by your words.
"Alright fine," she sighs in defeat. Then, sending you a grateful look, "Thank you for this by the way. I know you're busy, being Head Girl and in the last year of your Apprenticeship and all," she continues, her nose wrinkling in the slightest.
Gracing Eve with a kind smile, you casually wave her off, "It's alright. I owe you for helping us out anyway," you respond. From behind you, you hear a low chuckle, causing the hair at the back of your neck to stand on edge as you hear the rich sound.
"You mean we owe her one, Princess." Breath catching in your throat, you swallow imperceptibly, willing yourself to calm down. "Well, more specifically, I owe her one," he continues as an afterthought.
His words cause your stomach to flip, butterflies flurrying through and leaving a fuzzy feeling in the pit of your abdomen. Angling your body in the chair, you turn, only to be met face to face with Jimin. With how cramped the Divination classroom is, there's usually barely any space between the side edges of the various chairs. However, currently, the classroom is mostly empty, less than ten of you occupying it. And yet, somehow, you still find yourself impossibly close to him.
Eyes blowing out marginally, your mouth forms a surprised 'o' at the distance, or lack thereof, between the two of you. With how close you are, you can smell his sickeningly sweet breath - the scent of Sugar Quills so strong you can practically taste them on your taste buds. Swiftly realising your position, you back away in an abrupt movement - your chair scraping against the hardwood flooring. The screeching noise draws the attention of the other students, the muted, ambient murmurs coming to a halt as they turn to you.
Your cheeks immediately flush, the heat of embarrassment crawling from your throat to the tips of your ears. Ducking your head down, you sheepishly smile at the class and mumble out a 'sorry'. At your apology, the rest of the students quickly turn back to their divinations, causing you to let out a breath of relief. Only for it to hitch when you hear the light tremors of Jimin's tinkling laugh.
Turning back around, you flick your gaze over Jimin's face. Dark hair - the colour of blackened pine - frames his face, the strands falling like silk over his head. His locks are parted in the middle today, rather than hanging loosely in front of his forehead, and the front-most tresses bear a slight wave; revealing soft lids and sharp brown eyes. Dressed in his white oxford shirt - his Slytherin robes hung loosely over the backrest - and his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, he looks the epitome of sin. It doesn't help that his tie is loose around his neck either, the top button of his collar undone and revealing the thick arc of his throat, and the barest hint of his defined collarbones.
He's lounging in his chair, his ankles crossed as he stretches them under the table. One of his elbows is pressed to the armrest, leaning his chin on the base of his palm, while his other arm is stretched out, long fingers drumming casually on the table. As your gaze roves over him, you can't help the fuzzy feeling that settles in your stomach as he stares at you - obsidian eyes practically staring into your soul. Easily, he spots the fact that you're staring at him, and immediately, a teasing smirk pulls at generous lips, his strong eyebrow quirking playfully.
"See something you like, Sweetheart?" he purrs, his sweet voice a few octaves lower as he mimics the sentiment from last night. The memory him dressed in nothing but a towel flashes in your mind: the sight of his muscular, wet body ingrained so deeply in your mind that just the recollection of it manifests itself as something incredibly tangible. A shiver runs down your spine at memory, as well as the deep tremors of his voice, and as the hairs at the back of your neck stand on edge, you duck your head - in a bid to hide your flushing cheeks.
"N-No," you stutter out, and with the way your voice croaks, your blush deepens. Hearing your stammer, Jimin's grin widens - his heated gaze roving over you almost predatorily. Responsively, you feel yourself shying from his eyes, your body curling into itself protectively.
Noting your reaction, Jimin lets out an airy laugh. God, you were such a Hufflepuff. He wasn't one to often believe in the whole 'students embodied their house traits' bullshit - after all, people weren't set into specific personality moulds. But when it came to you? It couldn't be more true. A Hufflepuff through and through, you're as hardworking as you are kind - and downright humble about it. It had been an incredible surprise when you'd been chosen as the Head-Girl beside him, most people expecting it to go to Penelope Graham. However, to everyone's utter shock, it had gone to you instead, your scores in the Apprenticeship second only to himself. A fact that you'd kept to yourself, despite Penelope being one of the brightest Ravenclaws Hogwarts had ever seen, and a stellar Herbology Apprentice.
Thus, your grades, paired with your hard work throughout the years; not to mention your kindness, and willingness to help anyone, had landed you the Head Girl position. A choice that was still a sore subject for Penelope, who would lament about it to anyone and everyone. Nevertheless, if Jimin was being completely honest about it, however, he much preferred you to Penelope. And not just because Penelope didn't know how to shut her mouth. Even when it was full of his cock. Though, he'd also be lying if he said it wasn't partially because of that. Really, he didn't know how she managed to prattle off constantly while still managing to breathe, and sucking his dick. It was almost magic. Pardon the pun.
No, you were a much better fit to him. Your patience was known through the school, and paired with your strong sense of fairness, it meant that most pupils, if not all, would more often approach you for help with their problems. And as a happy result, they'd leave him alone to get on with the more important duties. In fact, that's exactly how you'd split your workload: you'd handle the student-body and prefects and anything pertaining to people in general, and he'd work on the other more mundane tasks; such as patrol duties, ensuring Prefect rosters for Hogsmeade weekends were sorted and all those odd bits and bobs.
Needless to say, it's not like Jimin didn't want to help the students. He doesn't mindhelping them, and as Head Boy, he'd be duty bound to sort out whatever petty problems they have. He'd just do it begrudgingly, because the last thing he cares about are the frivolous issues of the student body. Really, who cared if Jonah Robins sat at the table Amber Cowen and her friends usually sat at in the library? A problem he knew you'd dealt with just a little over a week ago. Somehow, you'd managed to convince Jonah to leave the girls alone and all balance between the third years had settled. Something which caused Jimin to scoff. See, if it had been him dealing with it, he'd just tell the girls to find another table. Because it's a table and it didn't matter where they sat, as long as they did their work.
But that's just him.
You, on the other hand, had a better sense of justice - and finding out that Jonah had purposely sat at the table to annoy the girls - you'd gotten him to move. Of course, most of the problems presented by the students were of similar nature - and Jimin didn't understand how you had the tolerance to deal with them day in and day out without going insane. Though, that was just another one of the classic Hufflepuff traits manifesting in your personality. Honestly, he doesn't think he's ever met someone more Hufflepuff in his life.
"Uhh... Jimin?" you quietly call out to him, and his eyes widen slightly as he's broken out of his contemplative reverie. Facial expression relaxing, Jimin realises he must have been intensely scrutinising you for the past couple of minutes - completely lost in his own thoughts.
Eyes casting over your face, he observes you for a moment. You refuse to look at him, your eyes skimming over the room as you actively avoid his gaze. Incessantly, you cross and uncross your legs, your body fidgeting under his heavy stare, and sensing the thick waves of nervousness that exude off of your being, Jimin's lips twist into a mischievous smirk. And there it was. The one trait of yours that had piqued his attention when he'd first been officially introduced to you three years ago. Your timidness.
"Is something the matter, Princess?" he drawls, a perfectly trimmed eyebrow cocking. Immediately, you freeze, your cheeks heating even further as you pull your bottom lip between your teeth; only to gnaw at it. God, Jimin groans internally, you were so easy to provoke.
"N-No," you stammer once again.
Lolling his head to the side, and resting his cheek in his palm, Jimin graces you with a sly smile. "Really? You look like you have something on your mind?" Then, flashing his teeth almost devilishly, "Maybe something from last night?" he hums. There's clear innuendo in his voice, and unintentionally, you let out a little squeak. The sound is high-pitched, and just barely audible as it's forced from the back of your throat.
"Last night?" Eve asks, her voice curious as she glances between the two of you. The heat of your mortification burns even brighter, so inflamed now that it starts sweltering your skin. Breath caught in your throat, you gnaw even harder on your lips - almost breaking the skin from how much you chew it. What are you going to even tell her? Nonetheless, before you can come up with an excuse, Jimin is already opening up his mouth.
"Just a small mishap in the Potions Apprentice Common Room. It's none of your business. Shouldn't you get on with your reading, anyway? I'd like to go back as soon as possible," he interrupts, drawing Eve's attention back to her homework. Face scrunching in distaste, she glowers at him.
With a huff, "You're clearly lying to me. But fine, if you don't want to tell me that's your business," she mutters, a scowl curled on her lips. Then after a short pause, "Also, if you don't want to be here you don't have to be. Feel free to leave," she bites. Jimin discernibly bristles, and sensing his rising indignation - most likely from Eve's snapping at him - you quickly hold up a hand.
"Why don't we all just calm down?" you calmly say, smiling gently at both of them. Both Eve and Jimin open their mouths to argue, before closing them; Jimin shrugging his shoulders offhandedly while Eve lets out a deep, conceding breath. Turning to Jimin, your earlier embarrassment slowly ebbs away and you clear your throat, "You don't have to be here you know. I was the one who offered to help."
Jimin scoffs in response before waving you off dismissively. "The only reason you offered to help was so that Eve would take up setting up the Yule ball in my place," he begins.
"Yes, because you have that Wizarding Chess competition you want to go to," you butt in, causing Jimin to nod.
"Yeah. A competition I could have skipped. But you asked Eve to help you instead, so I could basically shirk my Head Boy duties, and it's now more work for you," he explains. Once again, you shake your head.
"It's not that much work. Besides, I don't mind. You've been talking about this tournament since last year, I know you've been looking forward to it," you cut him off once again. Jimin halts for a moment, simply looking at you, a picture perfect expression of stoicism painted across his face.
Honestly, who were you trying to kid? He knows how much work the Yule ball is, and that while third-year Apprentice's tend to have more free time (and hence why they now have the Head Boy or Girl position in comparison to seventh year N.E.W.T students), you've taken up a few more of the Prefect's duties, since the seventh year Winter Exams are coming up soon. More than that, with how often students come up to you for help, your official duties tend to get pushed on the backburner even further. Hence why you'd had to brew three potions last night. Once again, he has no idea how you do it. Or why you do it. You're way too courteous, and far too kind - even to the people you don't know.
Letting out a sigh, "It is more work. Which is why I'm here. Even if I'm not really helping, I'm going to see it through with you," Jimin says. Involuntarily, you feel your chest tighten, that telltale warmth flurrying through your stomach as your heart flutters within your chest. Before you can thank him, however, Eve bangs her tarot deck on the table.
"Maybe you'll let me do a reading for you then?" she asks, her top lip curling shrewdly as she smirks at Jimin. The Slytherin Head Boy simply sneers in response.
Turning his attention back to his open textbook, "Yeah sure. When Merlin rises from the dead," he snickers under his breath. Then, "Just get on with the reading," he mutters. Eve's mouth curls into a snarl, but before the eighth-year Gryffindor can respond, you draw her attention.
"Should we start?" you say, an encouraging smile on your face. Eve's gaze flicks to behind you, and for a moment, you think she's going to say something. However, she simply takes a deep breath and calms herself down.
"Alright, yeah," she says, returning her own apologetic smile. "You don't want any particular reading, do you?" she asks, and when you shake your head, she smiles. "Then, it's okay if I pick one?" she questions. This time you nod, and Eve's smile brightens. "Alright, wonderful! Then... I'm going to do one on love and sex," she continues. Immediately, you choke on your own spit.
"Eve!" you splutter, causing her to look at you, her eyes glinting mischievously.
"What? I'm almost nineteen, I'm allowed to do them," she says, her voice laced with faux innocence. Scowling slightly, you send her a pointed look.
"That's not the point!" you try to argue.
Swiftly, a coy smile creeps onto Eve's lips, "Oh? Does the prim and proper Head Girl have something to hide?" she sing-songs. Feeling an intense stare on the back of your head, the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. You don't even need to turn around. You already know Jimin's attention is on you both once again.
"N-No! It's just-" you begin, only to deflate. What could you even say? Sensing your defeat, Eve snickers.
"Well, if you don't, then there's nothing wrong with me doing one, is there?" she asks. With no way out of the situation, your shoulders fall and you let out a muted noise of concession. "Perfect! Then, I'll begin," Eve continues.
With her mind made up, Eve begins to work. She starts by setting up her reading space: placing three candles onto the table. A pink one sits at the top of the table, right in front of you, while a white one sits in the left corner on her side, a purple one on the other. The candles form a large triangle, her tarot deck placed right in front of her, and an incense burner sitting right in the middle of the table. After the candles, she begins by placing her crystals down: rose-quartz and garnet are placed on the corners beside the pink candle on your side, and then an onyx on her side - in another triangular shape. Once she's set up, she waves her wand - four bottles flying from one of the shelves that lines the classroom and into her hand. From the inky scrawl on the labels, you read them as 'dried cherries, 'saffron sprigs', 'steeped deer musk' and 'jasmine-infused oil'.
Meticulously, she adds the ingredients to her incense pot: exactly four teaspoons of dried cherries, half a sprig of saffron and three drops of the steeped deer musk. Once she's done, she adds two tablespoons of the jasmine oil, before crushing it all together using a pestle. Once the mixture has formed a smooth paste, she inspects the concoction, before nodding in satisfaction - happy with her handy work. Carefully, you watch her. The eighth year Gryffindor is sly, and witty, and more often than not a handful to deal with. Still, she's kind, and helpful; and when practising Divination - her favourite subject - there is no one who's more reverent than her.
Fully prepared to begin her reading, Eve finally closes her eyes, and levelling her breathing, she takes in deep inhale before exhaling shallowly. From your divination class in fourth year, you know that she's trying to find the centre of her magic. It only takes her a few moments, and then, she opens her eyes. Muttering a few spells under her breath, she points her wand towards the candles, slowly bringing them to life. She starts with the white candle, and then the purple, and finally the pink; and when she's done, she taps her wand onto the incense burner.
Immediately, the mixture is enkindled, visible puffs of smoke wafting from the paste and into the air. The scent is rich, and fragrant - the notes of jasmine and cherry entwining together in a sweet aroma that has you entranced. The light perfume is deepened by the scent of the saffron and musk; the two heavier notes cutting the floral essence with a darker, more sensuous odour. The incense is inebriating, and calming at the same time, and you find yourself readily wanting to dive deeper into it's intoxicating hold - let the scent consume you and lull you deep into its grasp.
With her ritual completed, she places her wand down onto the table beside and after a quick shuffle of her deck, she closes her eyes once again. Lips moving subtly, you hear her lowly mutter another spell, and then, she begins pulling the cards. Enraptured by her movements, you watch as she draws exactly five cards, placing them in a pentacle shape around the burner, and in the middle of the triangles of crystals and candles. Her eyes remain closed until she draws the fifth card, and then, eyebrows cinching slightly, she mutters another spell before finally opening her eyes.
Glancing down at the spread, she cocks her eyebrow, a small frown marring her face. The slight perturbation etched on her face has you intrigued, and practically on the edge of your seat, you wait for her to say something. You don't have to wait long, however, because letting out a surprised whistle, "Well, this is certainly unexpected," she breathes out.
"It is?" you ask, shuffling to the edge of your seat as you look at the cards closer. Eve hums in response.
"Yeah. The first card - The Hanged Man. You're in need of urgent release. You've become rigid and careful, and there's a strong need to release your inhibitions," she begins. Only to pause, "But... you're indecisive about what you want, and this suspension of your feelings is causing a sense of unhappiness. You need to open yourself emotionally, and more physically," Eve begins explaining, her manicured nail tapping at the card as she speaks. Hearing her words, you immediately freeze, your muscles locking as Jimin's face suddenly flashes in the back of your mind.
Oblivious to your shock, Eve continues, her finger moving to the next card, "The Devil. Usually, this card is ominous, and bears a sinister edge; one that most fear. However, in this reading, it's a symbol of intense hedonism and fervent passion. It's a card full of lust, an indicator for an intense yearning for a person. There's a desire to submit; an overwhelming physical urge." Her voice hangs heavy in the air, and with each word she utters, you feel yourself growing hotter and hotter; your collar suddenly tight. However, you refuse to move. You can't move. Because you can feel Jimin's heavy stare behind you, his presence magnified by the sudden silence of the room.
The dull sear of mortification settles in the pit of your stomach, and suddenly, you can feel all the students' gaze on you. None of them, however, are as intense as Jimin's; his eyes practically boring into the back of your skull. You want to open your mouth, to tell Eve to stop, lest you embarrass yourself any further. Nonetheless, you simply can't bring yourself to do it. You don't know why. Perhaps, it's because your mouth is suddenly dry, almost as if you've swallowed cotton. Perchance it's because your throat is tight, the muscles suddenly constricting - stifling any words that form in the back of your pharynx.
Or maybe, just maybe, it's because a small, masochistic part of you is curious: intrigued by what else Eve will say, what else she will reveal... and perhaps even Jimin's reaction.
"When The Lovers follow The Devil, that's usually a sign of not only balanced, emotional love, but also physical desire. There's a need to be touched, to be claimed, and consumed; and an even greater sexual hunger that covets your partner, or the object of your desires. You want to truly submit, with implicit trust and consent, to this person," Eve's deep, yet distant, voice continues. Again, however, she pauses - almost as if in thought, and staring intensely at the card, she bites her lips. "This could also be a sign that the person you desire, desires you back," she mutters.
That has you audibly snorting. Yeah, right. You highly doubt that. For a moment, Eve flicks her gaze to you, her eyebrow quirking in intrigue, and swiftly, you send her an apologetic smile. Shifting in your seat, you sheepishly gesture for her to continue. Eve's stare falls back to her cards, her hand moving to the fourth, and penultimate card.
"The Tower. The fear that giving into these lustful urges will be your undoing. To give into your desires will be to bring about a change that you aren't necessarily ready for - or maybe that you think you're not ready for - since it'll lead to a significant change in your life. Still, this card is one of extreme surrender to chaos, a surrender that you are refusing, or resisting," she begins once again.
Then, circling her nail around the card, and tapping - two audible thuds resounding through the air, "Nevertheless, the liberation that comes from giving in is an extraordinary release, even if the act of giving in is terrifying. The Tower is an important card. It is one that cannot and will not be avoided. The major life change must happen. It must be experienced for you to progress in life," she foretells, her voice almost foreboding.
"Which brings us to the last, and final card. The Ace of Pentacles. This is usually a symbol about fresh career starts. However, in a reading about love, it tends to read as an egg wanting to be fertilised. The ten of pentacles is a family oriented card, but this one is the act of conception; the desire to engage in sex. However, it's more than just carnal hunger. You want this person; truly and utterly. More than you probably even realise," and with that last declaration, Eve finishes her reading.
A strong silence befalls the classroom, her last words lingering in the air and echoing in your mind over and over again. For long, drawn out moments, neither of you say anything - you: because you're caught between mortified and speechless, and Eve: to let you truly grasp and process her words. The few students that straggle about are equally quiet, more than fascinated by the surprising divination. None, however, are more surprised than Jimin.
Unable to tear his eyes from the back of your head, he simply gawks at you. Truth be told, like you, he doesn't believe in Divination; even with its roots nestled deep within magic, it's still considered an imprecise school of wizardry. That being said, he can't help the way your taromency has piqued his interest - especially, considering the fact that it's a reading based on your love and sexual feelings. At first, he'd been ready to ignore both you and Eve, and happily sink into 'Moste Potente Potions' - a book he'd managed to liberate from the Restricted Section, thanks to not only his Head Boy status, but also his Apprenticeship.
However, the moment he'd heard Eve explain the first card, he'd been ensnared by your divination. With each word that had slipped out of Eve's mouth, he'd grown more and more curious, not to mention shocked - because really, there was no way that that was your reading. Jimin has lived with you for three years now, and he likes to think he knows you well enough.
He knows you well enough to know that, no matter what, you refuse to drink pumpkin juice - finding the drink sickening - and yet, you adore pumpkin pasties; a treat you frequently buy on your trips to Hogsmeade. He knows that you can't fall asleep at night without reading a book - and that you often read 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard', having read them so frequently, in fact, that you could probably recite each story word for word. He knows that you aren't a huge fan of chocolate, but that every month, for one week, you will inhale it like your life depends on it.
He knows you well enough to know that though friendly by nature, your actual friends are few and far between: choosing to give your trust to a select few individuals. You don't call people your friends lightly, and it gives him immense joy, and pride, that he's one of the few people you've granted that title. Most importantly, however, Jimin knows that you're completely, and utterly, inexperienced with men. In the decade you've been at Hogwarts, not once have you ever had a boyfriend. He knows because he's asked around. Purely out of curiosity, of course.
With how much time people spent at Hogwarts, rumours tended to be rampant and everyonehad at one point, had a rumour about them and someone else. Everyone, that is, except for you. At first, Jimin had worried that the two of you wouldn't get along - that your inherent natures would be the complete opposite and that he'd hate you. After all, he didn't want to spend his Apprenticeship years hating the only other Apprentice in his year. However, after meeting you in his eighth year for the first time, he'd finally understood why you'd never had any rumours. And that was simply because you spent most, if not all, your time studying.
By all means, it was only exacerbated by your incredibly shy, and timid, nature - especially when boys were concerned; but it was primarily because, you just didn't seem to think about romance or sex. Which was precisely why he had never really given you a second-thought when it came to spending time with you. Of course, he flirted with you, but it was more playful than anything. Mostly because he enjoyed watching the way you'd get flustered, and how you'd stutter to respond to him. It was incredibly cute, and dare he say, endearing.
Yet, even then, he'd never considered actually pursuing you, and even now, he doesn't know if he would. You're complete opposites, and he doubts that you'd even wantanything to do with him - especially since you very clearly knew his reputation. His reputation being that his stable, steady girlfriends are few, and far between. More than that, he'd always dismissed you as someone who'd be into vanilla, missionary sex day in day out; and granted, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that if that's what you liked. But the last thing he, Park Jimin, ever would be, is vanilla. Hence, his reasons for dismissing you as a partner early on.
However, that was before today. Now, he's not so sure. And not being sure is driving him completely wild. Because now, now he wants to know just what you really are like. Just what really makes you tick in bed.
"So, ____, who's the object of your desires," Eve's voice suddenly breaks the silence, her eyebrows wiggling at you. Breaking from his reverie, Jimin immediately hones his attention on the two of you once again. This, he has to know. He doesn't know why, but he's suddenly filled with the burning need to know just who you so carnally want to submit to.
"N-No one," comes your choked reply, and even though he can't see you, Jimin already knows that your face is flushed with heat. "I-It must be a wrong reading," you quickly continue, Eve's eyebrows shooting into her hairline.
Humming in thought, "Hmmm. It's all open to interpretation ____, so perhaps," she ponders out loud. A coquettish smile curls onto her face, and levelling you with her impish stare, "Would you like another reading to be sure?" she asks. Swiftly, you shake your head.
"No, it's pretty late. And Jimin wanted it to be done as soon as possible," you quickly interject. Ears perking at the sound of his name, Jimin lets out an airy life.
"Oh no, by all means, do continue if you need to. I remembered I have nowhere to be," he purrs. Despair floods your stomach at his words, and internally you scowl. He had to choose now to be genial? Really?
"See, Jimin doesn't mind," Eve snickers. Letting out a little huff, you quickly get up from your chair and begin gathering your things.
"Still, it is late - almost curfew in fact. You should all start getting to your dorms," you reply, your voice louder so the rest of the students hanging in the class could hear. A chorus of groans resonate through the air, but nevertheless, they begin packing up their own divination items.
"Spoil sport," Eve mutters under her breath, however, there's no real heat to her words; and like everyone else, she too begins clearing the table. As she waves her wand, the bottles, candles and crystals flying back to their original places, "Are you sure you can't let me do another reading? It would really help," she asks.
With a sigh, you shake your head, "I'm sorry, I have Head Girl patrol duties tonight, and I still need to get back to the dorms and shower," you respond.
Behind you, Jimin immediately freezes, his book partially in his bag as he himself gets ready to leave. Now, that's interesting. Glancing at you from the corner of his eye, he casts his gaze over your body. A lie. A very clear lie - but a good one - because only he would have known it's a lie. You don't have Head Girl patrol duties tonight, you know that, and he knows that. Why? Well, because he's the one who comes up with the patrolling schedules - and you definitely don't have any tonight. Which begs the question, why are you lying?
Naturally, it could be because you don't want a second reading, but Jimin has known you three years now, and it's not often that you refuse to help. Moreover, it's also not often that you lie - which only has his intrigue growing. Just what were you up to? Not that you do have to be up to something, you really could just not want to have a second reading, and usually, Jimin would happily accept that reading. If it weren't for the niggling feeling in his gut that it's something more, and if there's one thing Park Jimin does, it's trust his gut feeling.
Hearing your explanation, Eve swiftly deflates. "Alright, that's fair enough. Still, thank you though. I'm sure Trelawney is going to love this," she grins. Though, that only has sheer mortification rippling through you. Because really, the last thing you want, is Trelawney hearing about your deepest, darkest feelings. A part of you wants to ask Eve not to use it, however, she's promised to leave your name out of it, and knowing Trelawney, she'll barely even pay any attention to it - both facts quickly settling your embarrassment.
"You're welcome," you respond with a nod as you gather your bag. Then, turning to Jimin, you tersely smile at him, and, "Ready to go?" you ask - your eyes flicking from his to the space behind him, as if you're avoiding his gaze.
Momentarily, he looks at you, but no matter how long he stares, you refuse to maintain eye contact. The peculiarity of your actions only has his curiosity growing more aroused. Internally making up his mind to get to the bottom of your behaviour, "Yeah, let's go," he simply responds.
image
It's later that very same night, when Jimin finds himself up well past moonrise. Usually, by now, he'd long since be in the comfort of his bed, enjoying the privacy of his own dorm. Or he'd be sneaking into the room of another apprentice. Today, however, he finds himself waiting in the Potions Apprentice common room; nestled on one of the plush velvet armchairs that makes its home by the hearth. Weak flames lick at the scorched wood, the fire waning as it slowly dies out. It bathes the darkened room in a dim light, and despite his position right beside the fireplace, the shadows hide his body well enough.
Internally, he wonders how long he has to wait for you to make a move, for you to sneak outside the common room and towards wherever it was that you wanted to disappear for the night. Really, he doesn't know why he cares so much, and normally, he wouldn't; you're a grown woman after all, and you're more than welcome to your secrets. Which is what he'd say if you were anyone else. But you're not. You're ____ Graves. The same ____ Graves he's lived with for the past three years, and the last thing you have are secrets. Realistically speaking, he should probably give up and head to bed, because really, why did it matter what you got up to late into the night. However, ever since hearing you so easily lie to Eve, he simply can't get out the incessant need to find out what you were hiding.
That is, if you are hiding anything. Because really, the later it gets, the more he finds himself wondering if he's deluded himself into believing that you had secrets in the first place.
Mentally, he wonders if he should just head up to bed. It's way past curfew, and you don't seem to have emerged outside of your private bedroom; the rest of the Potions Apprentices having all retired for the night long ago. As he sits in the armchair, he contemplates his decision. It's nearing midnight now, and you still haven't so much as moved, and he's really starting to believe that perhaps you've already retired for the night. Just as he shifts, however, he hears a door creak causing him to freeze immediately.
Head snapping to the stairs that lead towards the bedrooms, he watches as you slowly creep out of your bedroom and down the stairs. The common room is dark: the only light source the dwindling flames of the fireplace, and the faint, overcast shafts of moonlight that filter through the still waters of the Black Lake; and as a result, your wand is lit up - the eerie blue-tinted light of the 'Lumos' spell guiding your way through the space. Hidden by the shadows of the corner he finds himself in, Jimin's breath hitches as you carefully tiptoe past him.
To his absolute luck, however, you don't notice him. Instead, you simply slip out of the portrait that guards the Potions Apprentice Quarters. Jimin waits a couple moments for you to get far enough from the entrance before swiftly following you out. As soon as he slips through the portrait, he sees your frame disappear behind one of the corners, and hastily, he casts a disillusionment charm onto himself, followed by a 'Muffliato', before he begins tailing you.
It's late after curfew, and as a result, the corridors are completely deserted. Iron sconces hang high up the beige brick walls and the flickering amber light illuminates the large, arched halls of the castle. Expertly, you navigate through the maze-like hallways, and with how purposely you move - your feet directing you down a specific route - Jimin knows you're not out for Head Girl patrol duties. Albeit, he'd already known that. Though, this simply confirms his suspicions.
The entire journey, Jimin keeps a steady distance from you - close enough to keep you in his line of view, yet far enough that you won't feel his presence. You lead him down twisting and turning corridors, and up towards the Grand Staircase. Realising that you're planning on moving to a different floor, Jimin quickly moves closer towards you, still staying far enough for him to remain undetected, while keeping up with you as you navigate the ever-changing staircases. He doesn't know how long he follows you, but around ten minutes later, you slow down your pace.
A look of surprise flits across Jimin's face as he looks around. From the looks of it, you're both on the seventh floor, in the left corridor. Though, he has no idea whyyou've come here. This area of Hogwarts is barely used. There are no classrooms in this corridor - it's essentially a large stretch of hallway. Despite this obvious fact, however, Jimin watches as you walk down the passage, stopping when you get to a large tapestry. Quietly coming up beside you, he looks at the moving depiction in confusion.
Trolls dressed in ballet tutus are illustrated on the large curtain, their green-skinned body fanned out in various positions as they dance about with large clubs held in their giant hands. In the middle of the cluster, is a man, dressed in medieval-esque clothing, two of the trolls hitting him with their weapons intermittently. Suddenly, recognition dawns within him. It's the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy to teach the trolls ballet. Enraptured by the odd, mobile tapestry, Jimin doesn't notice you move - not until he watches a large, ornate wooden door manifest itself into the castle's wall.
Eyes widening, he takes a step back - the sudden appearance of the entrance surprising him. He doesn't have long to collect himself, however, because without a moment's hesitation, you're opening the door and entering it. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Jimin hastily slips into the room after you - the door shutting behind him with a quiet thud. As soon as he steps inside, however, he pauses - not expecting the sight to greet him.
The room is large, yet completely barren. Marble arches and pillars line the perimeter of the room; plush carpet, the colour of beige, lines the entire floor - and even through the soles of his Dragonhide boots, he can feel how soft it is. There's only one piece of furniture that sits inside the odd space - a large mirror. With clawed feet, and an ornate frame that has faded into a dull, metallic shade of gold with time, it looks ancient; and wholly mysterious. There's even a strange inscription in the framework, in a language he can't quite decipher, but one that seems familiar at the same time.
Nonetheless, Jimin doesn't have much time to contemplate the peculiarity of it all, because all of a sudden, you're moving. Drawing his attention once again, he watches you step up to the mirror, looking into the reflective glass intensely. The entire occurrence is strange, because it's just a mirror, and yet you watch it so curiously, so intensively, that he wonders just what you're looking at. And then, for a second time that day, he has an epiphany. He knows this mirror. Or well, more specifically he's read of it.
It's the Mirror of Erised - the one that shows you what your heart desires the most.
Now even more curious, Jimin's head tilts to the side as he looks at you, his face a picture of curiosity. Soon, however, it morphs into shock. Because, completely out of the blue, you start stripping.