Magical Afflictions |SKZ Hogwarts AU|

Chapter 2 |Revelations|

Changbin was more than happy to be back for another year at Hogwarts. It was his favorite place on Earth. But, this year he was also extremely nervous because he promised himself he would finally confess to Felix. Rehearsing what he’ll say to Felix, Changbin fell silent at the sound of another voice. Odd. He was late for the ceremony and it had already started.

“I don’t like it either, but we have to do this. You’re technically not supposed to be here,” a boy’s voice said, shrill and monotoned. “Stop squirming, Jisung! Please make this any less awkward and foolish by ceasing that!” Rounding the corner out of curiosity, Changbin encountered a younger boy with dark hair and braces.

They looked at each other before Changbin asked the question. “Who were you speaking to?” he inquired, glancing around to find nothing.

The boy just chuckled. “My squirrel, dummy! His name is Jisung. The list said nothing about a squirrel though, so he technically cannot be here!” the smaller noiret explained, opening his unmarked robes to reveal a squirrel placed inside his clothes pocket. Changbin just nodded, noting the entire scene as weird and walked off, making a mental note to see what house the boy was sorted into.

He found the hall just as he heard footsteps following him. It was the kid with braces from earlier. Ignoring the guy’s existence, Changbin dramatically opened the hall’s large doors, interrupting the ceremony. Headmistress McGonagall eyed him displeasing. “Mr. Seo. You are late and I see that someone else is too… A first year perhaps?” the woman droned, watching both males enter and take their spots.

Hyunjin elbows Changbin, whispering, “Thought you weren’t coming this year!” No reply was offered as he simply listened to the professors. The ceremony droned on, boring Changbin.

“Yang Jeongin,” Professor Min said aloud, his soft brown eyes dancing over the crowd. The kid with the squirrel stepped forward, accepting the Sorting Hat being placed on his head. Changbin watched, interested in which house this boy would be sorted into. The Sorting Hat brooded, moving slightly in thought.

Finally, it belted, “Gryffindor!” Those in Gryffindor clapped for and welcomed their new housemate. Changbin’s eyes fell on the golden form of the school’s liquid luck, Lee Felix. The subject of Binnie’s affections. Felix’s golden hair glew under the multiple floating candles that circled the room. He had applied makeup again, covering up the numerous freckles Changbin loved and adored. Hyunjin coughed, snapping Changbin from his enchanted trance. The look his friend offered him was one of suggestive hints.

Though, like before, Changbin ignored his only friend. The event wrapped up in a matter of minutes, all the first years sorted. “Slytherins follow me!” their house head boy and girl called, hand held up for the newbies. They filed out to head towards their houses to begin settling in, but Changbin stayed to speak to Felix. Of course, the other had already managed to befriend half of Gryffindor’s newest members, a bright smile on his face as he consulted with them.

Once he saw Changbin heading over, he smiled brightly, waving at the Slytherin. “Binnie! Come meet this loveable kid called Arthur,” Felix called out, the first year forementioned looked at Changbin with pure fright. The blonde kid leaned in a whispered to Felix. “Nonsense! Let me tell you, Slytherins are not evil! Binnie is one of the softest beans I know. I’m surprised he isn’t a Hufflepuff. He has more ambition I guess.”

Changbin just nodded and gave a small smile in the direction of the boy named Arthur. Suspicion stilled lied deep within the boys’ eyes. “My father says that Slytherins are the truest evil, using magic for the worst of reasons. Just think of Snap, Tom Riddle, and the Malfoys!” Arthur insisted, wishing not to be near Changbin simply for him being in the house he was.