Snake Pit (Ryeji)

Bridging The Gap

She couldn't find Ryujin the next day to apologize and by the time weekend was over she hadn't seen or heard anything from the other since their meeting in the library. Yeji was now clinging onto the fact they shared potions class on a Monday however when the lesson rolled around, Ryujin ignored her entirely. Yeji supposed it wasn't that out of character for her, she never really spoke to anyone anyway. Except that the second the lesson was over Ryujin was already up and out before Yeji had a chance to even pack away her parchment, leaving a gnawing sensation of guilt in Yeji's stomach.

This meant that, a few days later, when Yeji spotted Ryujin standing alone on the covered bridge, leaning on one of the beams and gazing out at the idyllic landscape beyond, she sprinted as fast as she could in hopes of catching the girl before she could disappear again. Her robes billowing behind her as she did so.

"Ryujin!" She called out as her feet pounded on the wooden planks at the far end of the bridge, the heavy footsteps echoing off the roof above her. Ryujin snapped her head around. Eyes wide.

"Why are you here?" She said coldly as Yeji came to a stop in front of her, panting, her face flushed.

"I came to apologize." she managed between breaths. "For lying about the rumours and upsetting you when all I meant to do was thank you."

"It's ok." Ryujin replied quietly.

"It's not. I realize how insensitive I was being. And I came to tell you the truth... that is, if you even want to hear it." One of Ryujin's eyebrows lifted. And she indicated for Yeji to go on. So Yeji took a deep breath and looked out.

"People think you tried to murder someone, and that you got expelled for using an unforgivable curse."

She watched as Ryujin took it all in, her shoulders slumping, her eyebrows creasing in hurt, her mouth hung agape.

"Sorry." Yeji the said quietly. "I know it's not true."

"People think I tried to kill someone?" She said, her voice coming out as a whisper.

"Yeah. But I don't think it's because of anything you did. Just that you came from Durmstrang so that's all anyone can think about." Yeji said, trying to relieve the situation. Ryujin looked much more distressed than Yeji thought she'd be.

Ryujin closed her eyes quickly before scoffing half heartedly. "Ironic really." She said.

"Why's that?" Yeji asked.

"I guess you didn't believe me when I said why I moved schools." Yeji recalled what Ryujin had told her about her headmaster.

"You were being serious?"

Ryujin rolled her eyes. So Yeji tried to clarify quickly.

"I only thought you might be joking because otherwise why would you be telling me? Surely I'm the last person you'd want to tell."

"Why would you think that?" Ryujin questioned.

"Because no one ever tells me anything. Let alone more... private stuff. We're not even in the same house." Yeji shrugged.

Ryujin chuckled staring out at the river winding below them.

"What's so funny?" Yeji asked.

"Well you're the only person I've even had a conversation with. Plus you didn't judge me when I could barely follow instructions in a potions book." she replied.

"Ok, but to be fair you were just used to the more traditional method."

"See this is exactly what I mean. You're too nice Hwang." She then lowered her head. "I'm sorry for storming off like that the other day. I know you were only trying to make sure I didn't get upset by not telling me."

"No no, you were being perfectly reasonable. I shouldn't have lied about it. I was just scared" Yeji said.

"Scared?" Ryujin asked confused, "What of me?" Yeji nodded.

"You do look a bit scary sometimes, if you don't mind my saying."

A smile tugged at the corner of Ryujin's mouth.

"Ah. I'm sorry if I scared you, I don't mean to. I guess my resting face combined with trust issues isn't a good combination."

"Plus the talent." Yeji coughed under her breath and Ryujin elbowed her gently. "I know, I know. You said. Practice." Yeji put her hands up in surrender.

"But what I don't get," she then asked, daring the boundaries of the conversation, "Is if you practiced so much how could your old headmaster even consider... you know..."

"Killing me?" Ryujin finshed.

"Yeah." Yeji said, scratching her neck at the uncomfortable topic she'd brought up.

"Let's just say he had strong motivations."
Ryujin answered.

"Strong motivations? To kill a student?" Yeji said, bewildered. "I thought you said he just fell out with your dad?"

"Ok I may have understated it slightly."

"Oh, so what actually happened?" Yeji asked and Ryujin immediately turned to her and stared at her, as if contemplating whether to answer.

"Yeji. You have to promise me you won't tell anyone."

"I-I won't." Yeji stammered, taken aback by Ryujin's sudden seriousness. "You don't, you don't have to tell me if you don't want."

Ryujin opened her mouth to speak and then closed it briefly, considering, "No I want to. I have to tell someone. I can't carry on keeping it to myself. And I, I trust you Yeji. I know we haven't spent much time together but I really feel like you listen and..." she trailed off.

"It's ok. I trust you too." Yeji said with a smile.

"You do?" Ryujin said startled.

"You seem to be forgetting about me being a literal damsel in distress last week." Said Yeji, eyebrows raised.

"Oh yeah. Well anyway..." Ryujin said, changing the topic. "I want to tell you. Basically my dad... he's not a bad father. But he is..." she fiddled with the hem of her jumper. "He's a bad person. The reason my headmaster hates him is because last year my dad got into a massive fight and killed his wife." Yeji gasped and Ryujin winced.

"Oh." Yeji didn't know what to say.

"Yeah I know. Anyway, as revenge the headmaster apparently was threatening to have me killed so my dad immediately sent me home and said I was changing schools. So here I am."

They were silent for a bit. Yeji trying to collect her thoughts.

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. I just wanted to get it off my chest that's all."

"Well you're welcome to confide in me anytime." Yeji smiled before quickly adding, "Unless it's in the middle of a potions lesson, then it'll have to wait till afterwards cuz I don't want to miss anything."

Ryujin chuckled, small dimples appearing on her cheeks and Yeji's breath hitched. She realized she had spent so long being terrified of her, she hadn't stopped and appreciated just how pretty the girl in front of her was.

"Anyway, it's um nearly lunchtime." Yeji said, interrupting her own thoughts. "We should probably be getting back." Her stomach grumbled slightly at the mention of food, and Ryujin smiled.

"I think I'll stay here for a bit. You can head back. I'll see you later."

"Oh ok." Yeji agreed, turning and walking back in the direction she'd come from.

"Oh, and Yeji..." Ryujin then called out and Yeji twirled around. "Thank you." She said.

Yeji grinned, "That's what friends are for!" She called back before quickly spinning back not waiting for a reply, continuing walking with a skip in her step. Were they really friends? She shook her head, not wanting to overthink things, friends or not, she was content with whatever it was they had.