A Hogwarts Love Story

Chapter 16 : The Weight of Duty

The next morning, Jisoo woke with a dull ache in her chest. The memories of the day before—the words Lisa had said, the way she had held her in the Room of Requirement—were still fresh in her mind. But now, she had to put all that aside. Her father's orders were clear: she had to spend time with Chaeyoung. It was part of the charade she had to keep up, the mask she had to wear for everyone. She couldn't defy him. Not now. Not when the cost of doing so could be too high and her plan in actions.

And so, as she got dressed in her robes and prepared to leave, she knew that today would be another test of her willpower. Another day where she had to pretend to be the obedient daughter, to smile and nod while feeling like her heart was being slowly crushed.

The words from her father echoed in her mind: You are the future of the Kim family. This is what's best for you and for our legacy. Don't disappoint us.

She sighed heavily, gathering her things before heading out.

The day felt long.

Chaeyoung had insisted they go to Hogsmeade, and Jisoo had no choice but to comply. The air was crisp, and the streets were crowded with students and tourists, but for Jisoo, it was all a blur. She didn't care about the bustling village, or the shops that filled it. Every step she took beside Chaeyoung felt like a heavy burden on her shoulders, each word out of Chaeyoung's mouth weighing her down more and more.

Chaeyoung walked with an air of smugness, her lips curling into a grin that made Jisoo's stomach churn. "You know," Chaeyoung said, a light chuckle in her voice, "I really can't wait for the wedding. All the pureblood families will be so pleased with this arrangement. I'm sure your father is overjoyed at how well things are going."

Jisoo didn't respond. She just stared ahead, her hands clenched at her sides, silently enduring the barrage of comments. Chaeyoung continued to talk about how she owned Jisoo now, how they were the perfect match, and how the magical world would soon recognize their union as a great victory for the purebloods.

Jisoo said nothing. There was no point in arguing with someone so insufferable. She didn't care for Chaeyoung's words. She didn't care for anything that was happening right now, except that she had to keep up the appearance of being the perfect, dutiful daughter. 

As they walked around Hogsmeade, Chaeyoung pulled Jisoo into various shops, each one filled with her shallow compliments and false promises of a "wonderful future" together. Jisoo walked behind her like a ghost, trying her hardest to keep her emotions hidden. Each time Chaeyoung's eyes gleamed with a victorious glint, Jisoo felt herself sinking further and further into despair.

They stopped at the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer, but Jisoo barely tasted it. Chaeyoung prattled on about her plans, her future, their future, while Jisoo barely heard her. Her mind was elsewhere, thinking only of the escape, the possibility that this was all just a fleeting nightmare.

As they finished their drink, Chaeyoung wrapped her arm around Jisoo's shoulder with a smug smirk. "I really do enjoy our time together, you know," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "And soon, we'll be the most powerful couple at Hogwarts. Your heart will catch up, Jisoo. I'm sure of it."

Jisoo felt sick to her stomach, but she couldn't show it. She could only nod and force a smile, hiding the rage that simmered beneath the surface.

By the time they returned to Hogwarts, Jisoo felt utterly drained. She hardly noticed the walk back through the halls as they made their way toward her room. Chaeyoung didn't seem to notice the emptiness in Jisoo's eyes, or maybe she didn't care—she was too busy gloating over her victory.

Once Jisoo stepped into her room and Chaeyoung left, Jisoo shut the door behind her and leaned against it, finally allowing the tension to release. She pressed her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm the storm inside her. The weight of the contract, the weight of everything her father had imposed on her, felt unbearable. It was crushing her, suffocating her.

But she couldn't give up. Not now. Not when there was still a chance.

Jisoo moved to her desk, pulling open a hidden drawer where she kept her old notebook—one filled with notes from her secret training sessions with Salazar Slytherin. The pages were covered with ancient spells, forbidden magic, and instructions that could help her break free from the shackles her family had placed on her.

The plan was simple, or at least as simple as it could be given the gravity of the situation: she needed to challenge Chaeyoung in a duel, a magical battle that would be recognized by the magical world as the way to break the betrothal contract. It was the only way to break free from this nightmare. At least she was no longer bloodly connected to the contract, just the magical part and physical one.

But Jisoo knew that she couldn't do it alone. Not without help, not without risking everything she had left.

Her thoughts turned to Lisa, to the way she had looked at her, to the love they shared. Lisa would never abandon her. She would fight for her, even if it meant going against everything the world expected. But Jisoo couldn't drag Lisa into this. She couldn't let Lisa suffer the consequences of her actions.

Her father had made it clear that he will harm whatever distractions that she have, her mother—oh her pitiful mother, why's you marry a man like him. And even worse, if the challenge failed, Chaeyoung's family could take whatever they wanted from her and lose her chance in breaking the contract.

Jisoo let out a frustrated breath, her fingers trembling as they traced the pages of the notebook. She could feel the weight of Salazar's legacy, the ancient magic running through her veins, giving her strength. This was the power she had to rely on. The power of her ancestors.

She had to do it. She had no other choice.

And so, as the light of the evening dimmed outside her window, Jisoo set her mind to the task at hand. She would learn the magic Salazar had left for her to study. She would face Chaeyoung in a duel. And she would fight for herself—for Lisa—no matter what the cost.

As she turned the pages and began to recite the incantations Salazar had taught her, a sense of determination filled her heart. This wasn't the end. Not yet. The battle was just beginning. And she would be the one to fight for their future.

No matter how hard it would be.

Jisoo took a deep breath and whispered to herself, I will be free.

End of Chapter.

Sorry if it's really short. It's like the old saying, "the calm before the storm." Hope you guys like it though. Peace out.