ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ ʰᵃˡˡ

@s. hoseok /when you mention its specifically for the quidditch pitch i glance at my shoulder which has now mostly recovered from our little incident, looking back at you as i slowly smile and its entirely snake-like but oddly enough its in a... pretty, comforting kind of way that's so entirely me
i would have thought you'd steer clear of all things quidditch now. but you surprise me, hoseok. keep it up
/i find myself surprised for the third time in a matter of minutes when you tell me i'm home, realising you're right and it makes my own smile falter as a sadness wells inside of me but the comforting, strange kind
yes... yes that's right, isn't it? this is home
/repeats those words before i simple continue to smile at you, waiting for you to gather yourself and formulate a sentence for me
ah i see
this would be very helpful, i have to say. i'm surprised it hasn't been done before
/muses as i lift my head and lean over again, looking through your notes and smiling at your handwriting, thinking it suits you and looks just as adorable as well
this wouldn't perhaps be for a certain slytherin in particular that you know, now would it?
/asks as i once more look at you, face a little closer, myself in general a little closer as i feel comfortable around you, more so than housemates i've known for years
/not having missed your own sense of loss at the word 'family', i wish to comfort you too, finding myself reaching a hand over to lightly brush some of your hair back from your face, asking you a sudden and seemingly random question moments later
may i see your hands, hoseok?

@c. hyungwon /the scent of cinnamon wafts towards me, and i find it surprising you like something so sweet, but it brings a small smile to my lips as you enjoy the pastry/
o-oh just a study in medical injuries but on the quidditch field--different handy herbs and potions to have on hand
during games because they can be so unpredictable but there common herbs in almost all medicines--
/bites my lip when i realize i'm just rambling and i duck my head down before nodding and mumbling/ yes i like it...
/peers back up at you slowly, wondering if i've said something wrong--bringing up your current state could be a sensitive subject, and you might hate me for bringing up, that makes me cringe at my own callousness, blinks a few times when you mention 'happy families', and i'm reminded of the reasons why i'm here at campus during this time--and not with a family of any kind, my mouth quivers as i try to make it smile, but the action is as fruitless as yours, i can see it in your eyes--the absence of true happiness/
well you're home now right? at least here you don't have to pretend so much.../whispers softly, and looks back down at my book, wondering if once again i've said the wrong thing, but i had to say it, i see you as such a kind and genuine person--i hate that whatever has happened has taken that away from you for even a moment/
s-sorry for prying...you just look like you need some rest or--/blinks a few times when i feel your knuckles on my temples--its gentle but i feel it--the words sink in with each rapt that echo with every heart beat, i look at you with wide eyes, cheeks now rosier than ever, presses my lips together because i know by your casualness this small action means very little--but it already means so much--too much--to me/
/clears my throat and opens my book up again revealing the annotated pages/ i'm working on a new potion or rather a salve for certain injuries so players can keep playing...

@s. hoseok /takes another bite of my cinnamon bun, enjoying the sickly sweet icing like i always do, indulging myself as i figure if now isn't a time to treat myself when is?
/waiting for you to respond, your stuttered well wishes have me looking from my food to you, smiling a little again when i notice you haven't changed all that much
research huh? what about? you like herbology a lot right?
/asks as i lean in, my shoulder brushing against your own as i lean some of my weight on you, my long neck craning around so i can get a proper look at the book i merely glanced at before
/making a small humming sound i look up at you first before finally leaning back, taking the last few bites of my first cinnamon bun, a glass of milk appearing which i sip from
/its in that moment that you suddenly ask me what happened to me, pressing my plump lips into a thin line as i look at you from the corner of my eye and wonder if you're going to elaborate
/when you do i'm both equal parts surprised and ashamed you noticed my generally worn demeanor, setting my glass down before i leave the rest of my pastries untouched, stomach suddenly disagreeing with me
just some stuff back home. its the holiday season, not everyone can play happy families all the time right?
/i smile but it falls short of my eyes and any genuine happiness is void of the gesture, my eyelids drooping a little as does my smile, hands resting between my thighs now as i lift my shoulders towards my ears in a shrug, dropping them tiredly after
nothing new, hoseok. and definitely nothing for that adorable head of yours to be worrying about
/trying to lighten the mood i lift one of my hands, rapping my knuckles lightly against your temple before i half laugh, half sigh, laying my arm on the table i front of me whilst i prop my head in my other hand and look at you
so tell me more about your research, little puff

@c. hyungwon /watches you as you come towards the table, my heart continues to violently beat down on my chest and i worry that in this peace and quiet you'll be able to hear it, i won't admit out loud but ever since that day on the quidditch field, and the night in the medical wing i haven't been able to stop thinking about you, and every time i catch a wisp of your golden locks from the corner of my eye anywhere on campus i feel my breath catch, your sweet voice haunts me in my sleep, i look up at you once you've sat down and try to find function in my mouth--but the wires between my lips and brain are crossed, because of you/
m-merry christmas hyungwon /says softly, and reached for the pint of pumpkin juice that appears by my hand, my throat suddenly feels so dry, i gulp down the sweet juice, and set the glass back down before my lips/
um...yes i stayed here--doing research /gestures to the textbooks around me, bites my lip and wonders if that was /too/ lame of an answer, rubs the back of my neck and then looks at you,my gaze lingers on your face because now i see it--the dark circles and hollowed out cheeks--you look as if a dementor paid you a little visit, the thought is horrifying--'what happened?' i wonder but the words slip out/
what happened?--oh i--/eyes widen when i realize i spoke out loud, my cheeks flame up and sputter as i try to make sense of what i'm saying/ i-its just you look tired...well no not tired much worst...like a dementor had a little snack while you were on your way back here--oh jeez thats an awful thing to say--I meant
/lets out a breath, cheeks puffed out and ruddy with a bright hot red, my lips wobble into a pout/
are you okay? /squeaks out finally, my embarrassment be damned, i really just want to know if you're okay/

@s. hoseok /returning as soon as a week early after having written to the headmaster, asking to come back sooner than planned, the permission from the owl couldn't have arrived any sooner
/having unpacked and left my robes hung up, no need to wear them since its not technically school time yet, i tug on the sleeves of my top a little bit, baby blue and suede as it looks a lot more festive than i feel
/finding my way to the hall i seek out the sweet treats i like and turn to for comfort in that moment, long legs carrying me down the mostly empty hallways and there's a chill around that makes me tug my arms around myself
/stepping into the great hall finally i automatically head for my usual house table, stopping when the movement out of the corner of my eye has me stopping to look over in confusion
/realising its you i give a small smile, glancing back to my table before i swipe up the fresh pastries that appeared in the moment i wasn't looking, my favourite cinnamon rolls in hand as i come over to you
hey hoseok. merry christmas
/straddles the bench as i sit beside you, my body turned towards you whilst i take a bite out of the cinnamon bun, glancing at the book on the table before i look back at you
have a good holiday?
/asks as i deter attention from my own self, the dark circles under my eyes, the fact i look gaunt compared to when i left and other subtle differences i don't expect anyone to pick up on let alone care for

@c. hyungwon /walks into the great hall with an arm full of books, the hall is quite empty which is normal for this time of the year, though i've grown accustom to it over the years, i find comfort in the serenity of the castle, i sit down at one of the many empty tables, where a plate of snacks resides, the house elves know he quite well, i smile and whisper a small 'thank you' before picking up the first book of the stack, a study in herbology and medical injuries, hours slip away as i read before i notice another person come into the hall, a flash of golden hair from the corner of my eye makes me look up, and when i see you my heart gently slams into my rib cage, i look at you with slightly wide eyes, surprised to see you here, i make to wave at you-- but something seems odd about you/

@p. jimin /raises an eyebrow as you talk so bluntly about other people, chuckling a little bit to myself before i miss what you say about yourself being weird
would you like to try that now, jimin? we can head out to the grounds and see if you feel any better doing so if you like
/smiles a little bit at you when you talk lowly about your flying abilities, nodding a little bit though as i don't want to push you too much
/as you mention the shoulder and harming myself i give you another small smile, trying to shrug it off but it leaves me wincing again
actually... he's in your house. and i think he's in your year too. hoseok?
he fell whilst playing quidditch. couldn't very well let him just... die though, could i? not sure about being a hero though... or even the biggest in slytherin
/shakes my head at that, not thinking much about myself in that sort of sense or at all, rubbing at my shoulder once more
it was worth it and i'd do it again in a heartbeat
/admits softly, thinking about the hufflepuff i helped before i turn back to you once more, rising from my seat and then tilting my head towards the exit
shall we then?

plops down. is anyone around?

@c. hyungwon of course i havent. people run their mouths for dumb reasons around this school, so i dont bother.
/taking the hint that you dont want to talk more on it, i once more wave my hand a bit dismissively, seeming to have done that a lot recently and i tuck my hands between my thighs to keep them still
stop being so weird...
/mumbling to myself, i sigh a little and look up at you when you speak of my broom, staying silent for a moment while i look over your features, then down to the table at the thought of flying
i think i've heard of people using wingardium leviosa. i never thought to try it, but--
/lifting my head, i smile and look to the book, nodding once and reach for my back to grab a notecard, scribbling to remind myself to read it before i tuck it in the bind as a bookmark
i think it'll work just fine.
trust me, for both our sakes, we dont have to go very high up off the ground at all.
/with a sheepish smile, i shift in my spot, wriggling my hands back under my thighs as i blink a few times, though i lift on hand after a moment to lean against my chin, my voice quiet as i speak up
you really hurt yourself when you saved someone, didnt you? you've gotta be the biggest hero in slytherin.
/flashing you a smile, it's clear im not just pulling your leg, and instead its something just genuine as i shrug, reaching to tug the book closer to me

@p. jimin oh you mean you haven't heard what people say about me? must be nice like that
/smiles a little bit to myself before i shrug it off as best i can, not really wanting to talk about it right now or ever if i can have my way
anyway. sounds like you just need a little more time is all. and there's nothing wrong with that either
you've got the tools and you've got the means to be able to ride properly. now we just have to get from a to b
/tries to look as reassuring as i can for you, not wanting you to give up on this before you've even started, especially as you've agreed to let me help
wingardium leviosa might help
i know it sounds silly at first but really its how i helped one of the others learn to get over their issues with broom riding
/nods to you again, nudging the book open on a couple of chapters you should read later in your own time or whenever you like
just a little levitation off the floor at first and then practicing it on the broom again later
and when we /do/ go out for that practice we can keep as low to the ground as you like as to make sure you stay safe
/reaches my hand up, brushing over one of my shoulders and scrunching my nose up after another moment as i remember dislocating some time ago helping a hufflepuff
and i don't fancy pulling off any big stunts again any time soon

@c. hyungwon what do you mean by that?
/theres something about your words that make my eyes widen slightly, wondering just what you mean while i remain perhaps pleasantly ignorant of the world around me
dont plenty of people put their trust in a piece of wood that can float?
/frowning lightly, i think back to my previous encounters with brooms and flying, shivering lightly at the thought of doing it all again, and yet here i am with you
well, if you were being helpful, i think you did just a wonderful job.
/shaking my head, i wave a hand dismissively, clearly not making any potential connections to anything that had happened before, and instead i smile to you
/thinking to my broom, i purse my lips, shaking my head a little with a small shrug
i dont do much-- i do take care of it, though. so it doesnt just turn into a dusty artifact at the ned of my bed.
/laughing a little nervously, i smile and shake my head, once more having to think back to my broom, and i sigh a little before shrugging
i was supposed to get a nimbus two thousand, but i chickened out. so i got the comet two sixty instead. i mean, cant be on the team if i dont have the seeker broom, right?
/once more, nervous laughter leaves my lips, and i glance away, realizing now just how often i've tried to avoid the pressure of being forced into a seeker position
/snapping out of my thoughts with that small, unsure smile, i reach for a small handful of grapes, popping a few into my mouth and chewing slowly, happy to snack
trust me, no one pays attention to the broom when the flier goes down.

@p. jimin /as you explain about earlier i shrug my shoulders a little bit, a small smile still remaining on my face though as i explain
its alright. you wouldn't be the first person to say something like that and you certainly won't be the last
but its alright to be nervous. you'd be half mad if you weren't in putting trust in a broom to carry you around high up in the air, right?
as for madam hooch... she can be harsh but honestly its just her worry about student safety that makes her a bit snappy like that. earlier this year i dislocated my shoulder, told me i was an idiot and should have just looked out for myself
/i don't mention how it was someone from your very own house that i helped from what would have most certainly been a deathly encounter, having been lucky myself to only have such a minor injury compared to how bad it really could have been
sounds like you've got some work to be doing with your broom then
this will probably sound weird but.. how much time do you spend with your broom? and i mean doing anything. from care to actually riding it
i'm assuming not too much?
/flicking through a few pages of the book i've lent you as i wait for an answer, i pour over the pages, scanning for something before i turn back to you again
what model was your broom, by the way? it didn't look too old if i remember right. though... i wasn't looking at your broom much earlier when i saw what happened
/laughs just a little bit, hoping you find it funny enough to chuckle at as well, resting my hands on the table before i pick up a bunch of grapes, plucking off a round, green orbs and popping it into my mouth, offering you some to be polite as well

@c. hyungwon /after i manage to get my question out, i offer a sort of lopsided smile as i look to you, thankful that at this moment that im looking down on you, but even that is short lived when you stand
/shaking your hand, im relieved when i see your smile, feeling proud of myself for at least taking a step toward getting over this inability to fly
earlier-- you know, i didnt mean that i didnt want to learn. im just... nervous.
/even now, the thought of getting on a broom is one that doesnt sit well with me, and i look down to my crutches that serve as a reminder of what had happened not too long ago
/once im sitting, only struggling a little to keep my foot from jostling around, i slump against the wood table and look up to you with a small smile on my lips
im not sure i could handle a broom today. madam pomfrey told me i should never get on a broom again with my track record, but who am i to say no to learning?
/laughing softly, i run a hand through my hair, reaching for my bag once it settles on the table, and i tug out the book you had offered to me, letting my hand rest on the front cover as i listen
honestly, not really. im not afraid of the heights, i've just never been able to get up there. i guess with my instance im only afraid of not having the control, but eh.
/waving a hand dismissively, i shake my head a little to wave it off, knowing that in the long run im not afraid of anything that would really prevent me from flying
just cant control it. never could.

@p. jimin /listening to the scrape of my quill against parchment as i write, i lean my head lightly against my hand when i'm not turning the page in the textbook in front of me
/about to do that very thing again, i pause, the page turned halfway as the sound of crutches on stone flooring has me turning and looking up at you
/staring at you when you both ask me to help you and promise to do your best, i just blink a couple of times before looking to fausta and then back up at you
/slowly standing up i stare at you for a moment longer before smiling finally and sticking out one of my hands for you to shake, giving you a firm nod when you do
yes. yes of course i can help and teach you jimin. i'd love to
/releasing your hand once i've finished shaking it i let my hand sway down back to my side, motioning for you to take a seat at my table and helping by holding your crutches for you
/props them against the table between us, my body turned towards you to show you have my full attention whilst fausta purrs and nuzzles my back again, slinking under the table where she just about manages to fit when curling up to sleep
i guess we could start a little now
but no brooms. not today
/smiling as i try reassure you i reach out for one of my own books, flipping it open and stopping suddenly on a particular page, reading something before i look back to you
so do you have any fears of heights naturally? nothing traumatic from the past i should possibly know about that could affect how you fly?

@c. hyungwon what if i just never need to fly, then?
/raising a brow to you, i shift a little in my seat, nudging my book aside and shutting it with my place held by a slip of paper notes, i sigh a little, knowing i dont wish to fly other than what's necessary
/my eyes are wide when you shake your head, and i feel a pang of guilt when i realize what my words have done, especially when i know i would gladly accept your help if not for my fear of getting on a broom again
hyungwon, i--
/wanting to speak up, say something about it, i frown as i look down toward my hands, knowing im horrible in this moment for it all, though once you set the book down with a thump, i look to it and then up to you
wait--
/but you're already walking away from me, and instead im left to look at your pet, propping my chin in my hand as i sigh to her, mumbling quietly under my breath before she too wanders off
im not really good with words, am i miss fausta? oh...
/sighing, im quick to react as best as i can, shoving my books and the book you had offered to me into my bag, and with a flick of my wand the bag comes to follow me as i manage to turn around on the bench, struggling for a moment with my crutches
/it takes a moment, but im up and hobbling over, my crutches clicking on the ground as i make my way over to you with a swing of my legs, bag and supplies following after me, and im a little out of breath by the time im standing near enough to you, glad that the crutches can hold me up
can you help me? teach me, i mean?
about the flying stuff. i'll do my best, promise.

@p. jimin you're going to have to learn to fly properly, regardless. you can't apparate everywhere or use flue powder your entire life
/murmurs as i look at you, remembering a boy from gryffindor, a couple years above me and now graduated who was just as afraid of flying as you if not more so
/when you speak somewhat harshly about my offered help i only glance down, smiling a little before i shake my head and wait for you to finish apologising
its fine... i understand
i would doubt my help too if i were you
/looking a bit disheartened i try brush it aside in favour of still attempting to make you feel better, instead rummaging around my robes to help me do so
here, at least take this. maybe it can help where i can't
/standing from my seat as i place the book on the table, a thick, old and leather bound piece, it softly thumps on the table with the title 'flying tips from over the years: fly like a pro in no time!'
well...
/ducks my head to you, knowing i'd like to wish you luck and all but it seems you might not want it, leaving me to step over the bench i was sat on, hoicking up my robes to do so
/rubbing at my nape i begin to slowly walk over to the slytherin table instead, my back to you as i sit down on the bench, shoulders hunched whilst fausta looks at you long and hard for a moment before rising and joining me across the hall where i seem to be hunched over a scroll, my head in my hand as i half pay attention to the things i write down

@c. hyungwon trust me, i think my body is more resilient now. you should've seen me when i came around during my first year.
/shaking my head a little, i sigh as i glance down to my open book,tucking my usual slip of paper into the bind to keep my spot as best as i can manage while talking to you
/hearing the mumble under your breath, or at least what i think i hear, i lift my head and look up at you, offering a small smile and a shrug as you seem to change your wording
i dont fly, and im no prefect... so other than being good with animals and my studies, i've got nothing too grand.
unless you're the type to care about blood status, but i could care less.
/sighing, i shrug once more, lifting my arms above my head for a brief stretch, i shake my head when you mention hearing bad things about you, waving a hand lightly
honestly, let me tell you-- i dont listen to what people have to say.
i base my opinion of people off of what they're like when i meet them, not some stupid rumors everyone always spreads around.
/sighing, i shake my head, wincing slightly from the motion as my head feels a bit heavy from the impact, my temple throbbing, but i brush that off as i look up at you as you speak
you want to--
/the thought of getting on a broom again has my eyes widening slightly, lips parted as i take in a short breath, bringing one hand to clasp the opposite wrist and swallow thickly
i mean, i dont know.
i dont think you know the extent of my inability to fly.
i can never get more than just a foot off the ground before it all goes wrong.
/with a sigh, i briefly think back to my first year, how madame hooch was almost ready to kick me out of her class and thus make it impossible for me to even try to learn to fly, but in the end i got through enough of the class to pass
quidditch? oh dont tell me you'd think i'd be a good seeker, too.
i've been told since first year that i was born to be a great seeker. but i dont get it-- how can i be a seeker when i cant even get on a broom?
/snorting softly, i shake my head, though i ponder over your words regarding flying in general, knowing i'd be no help in the long run if flying had to come into play
/when i open my mouth to respond, decide against it as a beautiful fluff of fur comes our way, and i smile widely at the cat that immediately holds my attention, my eyes shining
why hello there, fausta. such a beautiful cat...
i have my own, too. pudding. she's a siamese, and i-- have no idea where she is, to be honest.
/my brows furrow briefly in thought, but i look over at you with a smile once i shake the thoughts from my head, and i take a deep inhale before nodding slowly
i dont know, hyungwon... i dont think you quite understand how bad i am at it. at the whole flying thing, i mean.
if madame hooch almost gave up on me, how can you end up helping?
/my eyes go wide as i realize how rude that must have sounded, and my cheeks flush in embarrassment before i stumble over my words to backtrack
i-i just mean-- i mean-- you know, i dont want to make you work harder than necessary. n-not saynig you'd be bad at it, just-- im awful, you know? really.

@p. jimin nothing to apologise for. at least its just light enough injuries. wouldn't be so nice if you had broken something or worse
/pulls my hand back after you've shaken it, folding my arm back against the top of the table, leaning against it for a moment
my father would beg to differ...
/mutters under my breath before i quickly correct myself and interject
i'm sure your friends would say there's plenty special about you. no need to be modest
/when you mention knowing me i glance at the prefect badge on the left side of my robe, gently nudging it with one of my fingers before looking back at you
for some reason dumbledore thought it was a good idea to put me in the position. still trying to figure out what was going on in his head at the time
but yeah, its nice to meet you too. i've heard good things about you, just not so much about your flying. likewise i hope you haven't just heard bad things about me either
/knowing there's less chances of that i don't dwell on it, knowing its no good to do so, instead giving you another small smile
listen. i actually approached you to offer some lessons. just a one on one kind of thing and to try help you with the little flying problem you have
can't guarantee you wouldn't get hurt... but by the time i'd be done with you, you'd be more than qualified to be any position for quidditch if you wanted
that's not the end goal though. i just feel every witch and wizard should be able to fly confidently since its so important and all and i know madam hooch does an amazing job but... maybe something more informal would benefit you
/realising perhaps i'flooded you with too much so soon i clear my throat, glancing to my side where i see a familiar heard rearing up and nuzzling my outstretched palm, fausta, my maine coon, purring lowly and eyeing you from over the table thanks to her considerable height
fausta, this is park jimin. say hello
/the maine coon eyes you still before letting out a purr which is supposed to be a hello to you, all before running her back along my robes and sitting behind the bench, tail flicking as we both look at you
you don't have to decide now or even say yes-
its just an option

@c. hyungwon /despite insisting that there was no way i’d get on a broom, especially when even in my first year i could never properly get too far off the ground, i found myself being taunted by those i thought would be understanding
/they wanted me to be the seeker, insisting i had everything to make me a great one, from my lithe frame to my attention to detail, and thus i was climbing a broom to show them that i could never fly
/they didnt believe me when my limbs were shaking violently, they didnt believe me when i nearly fell off my broom as i rose from the ground; it was only when i couldnt control the damned thing and careened straight into a tree, tumbling to the ground, that they truly believed that i couldnt do it
/in pain, i was rushed to the infirmary and patched all up, branches and roots having snagged me as i went down, and i was given crutches to make sure my ankle could heal properly
/once i was all set, i hobbled off toward the great hall to do some studying, my books and supplies following after me with a simple spell, and i came to sit at my house table, focusing on my work for now
/its your voice that startles me as i look up, eyes wide, but instantly a smile takes over my features, perhaps a little shy
im sorry you had to see that. its not exactly... flattering. im okay, though. just have to hobble around for a while until im healed up.
/sighing softly, i shake my head, reaching up to adjust a bandage on my cheek that makes me wince a little, and i droo my hand back down for a moment before i reach out to shake your hand
hyungwon, the slytherin prefect and seeker. of course i know you. park jimin, nothing special about me. nice to meet you finally.
/retrieving my hand, i set it down on the table, sighing as i glance down to my notes before i look up at you once more, lifting a shoulder in a shrug
i hope i dont seem... weird. i’ve just known of you for a while now — you’re always someone i hear about, so i generally know about you.

@p. jimin /having heard a commotion going on early in the morning down on the ground at the quidditch pitch, i find myself landing after training for a good portion of the morning anyway
/seeing a gaggle of hufflepuffs, the year below me, insisting that one of them tries to prove they could be a seeker i find myself listening from the outskirts
/heading off to the side lines, just in case, i tilt my head as it seems from the get go you're wobbly and not confident, bad signs for anyone flying
/to my dismay i see you fall, bad, wincing and jogging ahead to the infirmary to let them know you're going to be coming in and what happened
/letting you get looked after, spotting you on the way out as you're brought in my your friends, i shake my head at them before heading off
/hearing you're going to need some time to heal but you're at least able to leave the infirmary, i find you in the great hall whilst its on the quieter side of things, glancing around before i come over to you
how's the everything?
/murmurs as i join you, sitting opposite you at the largely empty hufflepuff table, my green and silver decorated robes indicating my house though something tells me you know who i am, knowing myself who you are
/folds one arm on the table, my other hand propping my chin up whilst i gaze at your bandaged frame, the crutches resting on the table beside you making me shake my head again
so... i had the unfortunate opportunity to watch that fiasco earlier
chae hyungwon. nice to meet you, properly
/holds out my hand across the table for you to take and shake, giving you a small smile afterwards, wondering what you must think of me already

@l. soohyuk /righting myself, I lift an arm, robe sleeve falling back toward my elbow, and I press the inside of my wrist against my brow, the beading of the bracelets I wear cool against my forehead/
That boy is aging me.
/a soft sigh leaves my lips, followed by a small squeak when I hear your voice, only just realizing that I must be distracted to not have noticed you before/
Oh, Professor Lee, I didn't see you there--
/with my cheeks flushed in embarrassment for having been blind, oblivious, or both, I bow my head, silvery strands falling forward and my pert features concealed by a short curtain of hair/
My brother made me tired the second he got sorted.
But... you needn't mention it, professor.
/bowing back to you, the hem of my robes billowing out on the floor the second I get any nearer to it than I already am, I return that quiet murmur of goodnight a moment after you've already turned your head; I dare to speak up, shifting onto the balls of my feet and a soft, rubbery creak sounds from my plimsolls/
If you ever need anything, or Rogue gets out again... my quarters are below Gryffindor Tower and his stash is there as well. Goodnight, again.
/the little curtsy wherein I pull up my robes to hover above my ankles is highly unnecessary, and perhaps it's something far too girlish in me being drummed up before I turn from you and make my exit at last, knowing you won't be far from turning in on your own; the halls are quiet, the students in their rooms, and for a moment I find myself thinking much less about the excitement surrounding the celebrity of the boy who lived/
I'm being silly...
/as my fingers trail over the cool, rough-edges of the stone wall beside me, there's a part of me that feels like a first year again, tripping over the hem of my robes and straying off on my own with thoughts better kept to myself even if I had bosom friends to share them with/

@k. minji /my gaze drifts along with the sight of the boy who lived, eyeing the scar on his forehead before he passes by with not so much as a glance at me
/pushing myself off of the wall i was leaning on i hear you there just when i was about to get going to my room, throwing a glance in your direction
/spotting you with a boy that looks somewhat like you i tilt my head for a moment, narrowing my eyes and then finding some amusement in how he's taller but clearly younger
/reminding myself i should be going i find myself not doing so when i hear you chiding him for his behaviour, keeping very still as to not distract you both now
/surprised at the topic going on between you both i slide my hands into my pant pockets, tilting my head for another moment
/waiting for his response it doesn't come, one of his friends from he same house coming rushing back and half dragging him away with a quick apology to you
/watching them go i step out from where apparently i've been unseen so far, i clear my throat, nodding my head to you for a moment before softly speaking up
you'll be tired within a week if you insist they stop the rumours, professor kim
... but thank you
/bowing stiffly to you i glance away for a moment before murmuring a gentle 'goodnight', figuring you need your rest and i, my own

@l. soohyuk /while watching over my younger brother, seated as well away from the boy who managed to garner most of the attention on his entry to Hogwarts, I'm left picking absently at my dinner and sharing the occasional smattering of conversation with Hagrid, and another young staff member situated near us, another young woman I had the pleasure of knowing during my school days; it shouldn't bother me, I reason, pulling a thin layer of bread from the roll in my hand to place upon my tongue, that things had gone poorly earlier in seeing you again/
"Ooh~ Someone's distracted. I wonder why?"
/the young woman teases, playful, the kind of thing I probably could have expected if I ever let my feelings get the better of me as a student and ended up so disconnected, zoning out on my surroundings as I have; turning my head, I nudge her side, and she lapses into quiet giggles while I sit in waiting for the students to begin leaving; when I see my brother rise from the table, I push myself up as well, excusing myself from present company to follow him out, unaware of who else might see us in the halls the moment I catch my brother/
Kim Minjun, you wait a minute.
/my brother's eyes widen the second he sees me/
"Sis, what's up?"
/in retrospect I couldn't say what possesses me to grab him by the shell of his ear to tug him closer and out of the stream of students emerging into the hall, and perhaps it's in that shuffle that I fail to realize that you're in the same hallway/
"Aahh! Easy, easy-- that hurts dang it!"
/narrowing my eyes a little, I release his ear and tip my head, my brother already a hair taller than I am, despite being more than a decade younger/
I don't want you participating in gossip about the professors. Or assistant professors.
Do you hear me?
/my brother rubs at his ear while giving an annoyed nod/
"Crystal clear. But, I don't understand why you care."
/placing a finger to his chest, I lean in close enough to whisper over the boisterous conversations of the students milling out/
Because rumors and gossip aren't any better than lies.
Besides, we were raised better than that-- I raised you better than that.

@k. minji /there's no joy in eating for me, i don't think there has been for a long time as its become a necessity more than something to take time for and actually appreciate and love
/needless to say i look stiff whilst eating, dumbledore thankfully not forcing me into a tense conversation he knows i don't want to have
/left to finish up my meal i look over to the boy i've returned for the sake of, looking at him for a brief moment with his unruly hair before i hear snape say something
"trouble maker if you ask me. i can smell it on him the minute he got off that train"
/realising the man is talking to me, i look at him quietly and firstly duck my head in hello to one of my former teacher's, giving him no agreement to what he says though
thank you for the warm welcome, i'll be going now
/murmurs to the headmaster, bowing my head to him before i get up, the hall almost entirely falling silent as i do so, the noise only returning once i've disappeared out the great hall
/standing just outside the doors i sigh softly, pressing my hand against the inside of my forearm as i remember the tattoo just beneath my clothing, etched into my skin for good
/knowing i should return to my quarters, i'm met with a chilled sensation, one that almost has me reaching for my wand but i don't when i instead see a familiar figure
hello, bloody baron
/nods to him, the gaunt ghost pausing in his gloom, the chains around his body jingling ominously as he looks at me, trying to remember who it is
"young soohyuk. you've... grown. shame about your family. you look more shackled than i"
/his words make my smile drop, watching him float away on his gloomy own self before i pinch the bridge of my nose, reminding myself why i'm here, especially when the students begin filing out from the hall, figuring i'll wait for them to pass without a word before making another move

@l. soohyuk /in my seat at the table, several other members of the staff to separate me from you, including Hagrid whose large hand comes to rest over mine when I nervously fidget with the silverware left askew; exhaling, I listen quietly, and politely to Dumbledore's introduction of you, and it's the least I would expect, down to the expectant silence of the students; your address is brief and I lift my hands to join in the applause, a genuine smile on my face, until I turn my attention toward the table of Gryffindors and more pointedly to one of the brunette first years already reaching for a full goblet to drink from until his eyes meet mine; one of the few benefits of being on staff are that I'm able to keep an eye on my little brother even as he attends school and yet it seems one he's a little less thankful for even after Dumbledore encourages us all to eat/
"Kimi..."
/when Hagrid addresses me by the fond nickname, something meant to keep my own name from the negative connotations of a similar sounding word, while beside me at the table, I lift my head, looking to him with a faint smile/
Boys will be boys, right?
/the nod he gives me is far more sage than I would expect from the friendly man, and yet it's just as fitting when I find myself stealing a glance down the table; there's a hint of too much sentimentality for the past in that glance, though it's clear that while those years were ones I looked on fondly, the same would never be said of you what with the bits of gossip that float among the tables, very predominantly that of the house I myself called a home/
"Something on yer mind?"
/for a moment I'm thankful to be in the big man's company, and yet even when I nod, I shake my head soon after/
It's not important, Hagrid.
/but while I pick at a piece of roasted potato, the white interior fluffed by the tines of my fork to a mockery of a mash, I catch myself stealing a second look toward the Gryffindor table where my brother sits chatting with two other young boys, boys I would estimate to be either first or second years; it's all too clear what a furtive glance up toward the staff table means the topic of conversation is among him and his house mates/

@k. minji /finding more than enough time before i have to head into the great hall, i stop in front of one of the trophy cabinets, finding a polished dish inside with my name engraved for 'heroic acts in the name of hogwarts'
/unfocused on the item, i find my gaze settling on my own reflection in the glass, looking over myself and see more of my father there than i ever wish
/turning away from my own reflection i head to my quarters in the dungeons, an alumni of the slytherin house, its only fitting to be back down there
/not needing the robes for the banquet, i step out in a black suit, a white button up shirt beneath with a silver and green handkerchief blooming out from the pocket
/slipping into the hall i take a seat at the head table, waiting for dumbledore to introduce me as i sit there quietly, my eyes trained on the movement of someone coming in late, seeing its you of all people
"and last but not least, our new defense against the dark arts teacher, mr lee. one of the finest students i've ever had the pleasure of teaching he's returned from his work in america to help with the classes. be sure to make him feel welcome, its been some time since he was here in hogwarts"
/standing up i bow my head in thanks to the headmaster, taking his hand to shake in front of everyone as we stand in front of the long rows of students, the man leaning in to murmur a more private 'thank you to me'
/releasing his hand i notice the room has fallen into a silence, expecting words from me though i feel they might expect me to curse them all suddenly with the looks i'm receiving
its an honour to be back in my old stomping ground. i trust everyone is ready for an exciting year here in hogwarts - something it never failed to be when i was here
i look forward to teaching you all. thank you
/bowing my head to the student body's general direction there's a round of applause at least, mostly from the slytherins, taking my seat as there's whispers, murmurs and rumours about me already going around
/sighing under my breath i don't let the displeasure at such a thing show, instead just shifting a bit in my seat as i wait for everyone's attention to, gradually, turn to their food, thankfully it does when dumbledore suggests everyone do so

@l. soohyuk You're welcome, Mr. Lee.
/those words wouldn't even reach your back as you left so quickly, and it was all too clear that for all my verbal missteps, I had easily managed to sour the mood with a reminder of what I knew only through gossip; the manner with which the reintroduction to an old schoolmate had ended had managed to turn the rest of the day from mundane, but enjoyable, to interestingly melancholy; perhaps it was that mood which had given my own peculiar aspect an even greater radius and why one of the more delicate flowering plants outside of the greenhouse had begun to wither just from my passing by; for that I had received a chastising from Professor Sprout that would have rivaled any of those I had received as a student/
"You need to do something about that, dear girl."
/it was nothing that a little magic and a green thumb couldn't fix, and yet it likely reflected my mood well enough; in returning to the small quarters that I kept, I was intent on dusting myself off and making my way to dinner in the great hall as was expected not only socially, but by my now audibly growling stomach; with Rogue confined to his pen within my quarters, my face and hands washed, and my shoes changed from heavy boots to simple plimsolls, I headed to the great hall, nearly late for the new staff introductions/
Oh shoot... shoot, shoot, shoot...
/the sound of Dumbledore's voice was unmistakable, and I tipped my head down, bottom lip seized between my teeth as I attempted to sneak in, half-crouched down to take the nearest available spot at the staff table with a quiet clatter of silverware beneath my hand, and settling into the chair with my shoulders lifted toward my reddening ears protectively/

/sweeping through from the castle grounds with my broom in hand, still in quidditch robes that brush along the floor around my boots
/taking a seat at the slytherin table i sit alone though mostly because its an odd time to be eating, a little later from dinner but still food for those who might be a little busy with later lessons and activities
"no brooms on the table, chae"
/glances up as i hear mcgonagall nodding curtly to the broom on the table, mumbling an apology as i pick it up and prop it down on the bench beside me instead
/left in peace to eat i my meal i pull my wand from my robes, murmuring a spell under my breath to make one of my textbooks appear on the table in front of me
/flicking through to my last reading page i finish my meal with biting into an apple, leaning over the table as i browse through the contents quietly, talking to myself as i do so
/hearing someone sit near me i glance up for a brief moment, spotting the tips of a house elf's ears bobbing along the hall and disappearing off, making me smile to myself before returning to my books once more