hogwarts°nct dream [editing]

twenty three | disguise

  6 days after Amaryllis' wake.

  Mark rushes through the students who are busy with their own schedules and mutters a quick "sorry" to those he accidentally bumps into, occupied with his chase for Donghyuck.

  "Hey! Wait!" Mark shouts and Donghyuck who's speed-walking to the best of his abilities, ignores his calls.

  He thought he could get away but is proven wrong when Mark's hand latches onto his shoulder.

  Donghyuck sighs, irritated before whipping his head to him. "What do you want?"

  "You've managed to run away times before but not today," Mark pants and Hyuck slaps his arm away.

  "If you're still hung up on the issue of what I did to Ama when she fainted then, move along because I did nothing. Why is that so hard for you all too understand?" He groans and attempts to walk away, only to be hindered again.

  Mark shakes his head. "No, it's not about that. Professor Dumbledore lost something of his. Um, a golden ring with a dark jewel, I think? So he wanted me to ask around if anyone's seen it."

  Donghyuck seems to flinch but he feigns obliviousness. "No. I haven't. Why are you asking me, anyways? There are other students who would certainly, treat you nicer. Go pester them!"

  He strides away hastily- wanting nothing more to do with the older due to the anxiety biting on his skin.

  Mark fixes his eyes on him for a while, suspicious and leaves after.

  Hyuck turns a corner into a silent, empty hallway and instantly slams his back against the wall while shaky breaths leave him.

  His hand rests on his chest and he can detect the vehement beats of his heart as the nervousness continues to claw.

  "Donghyuck."

  The lad whips his head to the voice, seeing only Ama who certainly, wasn't there before.

  "Ho-how? No. What are you doing here?" He abrasively queries and she smiles.

  "Nothing. It's just nice seeing you."

  Then, she passes by him and into the vacant corridor.

  He furrows. Where is she going?

  Donghyuck shakes his head, reminding him that it's not his place to investigate. After all, for what reason?

  So he quickly heads over to his class- not giving another glance towards the girl who's just leisurely ambling to her destination.

-

  "He knows something for sure. I could capture his slight wince when I mentioned the ring," Mark reports to the group. "I even described it and all."

  Renjun dwells in his thoughts. "But that was it?"

  Mark regretfully, nods. "I asked Jaemin too but he wasn't reacting much."

  Jisung and Chenle quietly listen to the older ones discussing.

  "We should ask what they were doing when the ring went missing," Jeno suggests and Renjun claps his hands.

  "Of course! We have to confirm their alibi!"

  Chenle knits his brows. "Are you sure they would tell us the truth?"

  "We could always wear a disguise," Renjun says. "And what better way than by using Polyjuice Potion?"

  "But, that'll take too long to brew."

  "I already have it."

  Lele lets out a hysterical gasp, betrayed. "And yOu dIdN'T teLl mE??"

  "I didn't expect it would work! I was just trying it out when I made it," Renjun defends. "Anyways, so, I suggest Jeno and I will disguise as Jaemin and Draco, then we can naturally ask about the ring. Agreed?"

  Jeno nods. "Agreed."

  Mark and Chenle express their approval when they notice Jisung has been silent.

  "Won't that be... dangerous?" He slowly asks and Jeno grins softly in attempt to calm the younger one.

  "It will be fine. We'll only do what we need to and besides, it's just for an hour," Jeno states.

  Jisung looks away from him, not wanting to make eye contact and instead, fiddles with the green grass.