Chapter Text
1st Year
A small child with raven hair is among a big group of 1st years in the Grand Hall, anxiously awaiting his name to be called.
“Jeong Yunho!”
The kid nervously walks to the front to sit on the stool where his life path will be decided for the next 7 years. As he seats on it, the sorting hat is put on his head.
“Ah… Nervous I see. No need for that my child, you have a bright future in front of you…”
“Slytherin!”
Young Yunho jumps down from the stool with a smile on his face. He got the house he wanted, following his parents steps.
The slytherin table roars with excitement as Yunho gets to seat next to the 2nd years, patting him on the back and giving him a warm welcome.
At the same time, a blond kid walks to the hat. “Gryffindor!”
He’s all smiles, with his little crooked tooth, when jumps down and runs to the Gryffindor table.
Present Time - Year 7
“Cmon Woo! We’re going to be late.” Yunho yells while running through the corridor towards the Potions class.
“Hold on! We’re going to be 15 minutes early, why are we running?” Wooyoung runs behind Yunho, panting.
“Exactly, that’s late.” Yunho says almost hitting a student when turning.
As they arrive to the room’s door, Wooyoung pants with his hands on his knees. “You’re crazy for making me run that much. You know you could have just gone alone to class, your dorm is literally next to it!”.
“I need to get the best cauldron, I’m already almost failing this subject, I need everything good on my side."
“You're bad at Potions, not at cauldron selection."
"Well… Both." Yunho mutters. "And plus I wanted company."
"And I have to suffer because of it?! You’re going to hell for making me run all the way from the dorm which is in the top of the tower by the way… How are you not even out of breath?!”
“I run every day that’s why.”
“Yun…” Wooyoung sighs. “Why don’t you just ask for a tutor? Instead of trying to kill me every morning?”
“It’s embarrassing. I’m a top 2 student and ill be asking for a tutor? And a Slytherin bad at Potions. I’m going to be the joke of the century.”
“Yun, cmon, you’re smarter than all of us pretty much. You ace every test and exam, there is nothing wrong with asking for help once.”
Yunho whines and covers his face with his hands in frustration. “Wooooo..” sighs. “ Ok, look, I’m going to try one more time, if I fail this one, I’ll ask professor Mar for a tutor.”
“Deal!”
Class starts
“Good Morning students! Today we’re going to be brewing a Regerminating potion. It will be helping Professor Park with the plants during winter time. You’ll find the instructions on page 12. I don’t want anymore melting of cauldrons and desks please.” Professor Mar says while looking sideways at Yunho.
Yunho feeling all eyes on him, shrinks in his chair while getting red in the face.
“Very well everyone, you can start picking up the ingredients in the storage room.”
“Cmon lets get our ingredients Yun.”
They’re the last to get up and pick up everything they need for the recipe and Wooyoung starts picking them up. Unbeknown to Yunho, the lacewing flies were all gone from the main box so he picks up the next box which was mantis flies. They look similar enough for him to not even notice they’re wrong.
30 minutes in and the classroom is just an assemble of noises, chatter between students, distressed sounds from the strength needed to crush some of the ingredients. The professor is walking around checking up on everyone.
“Mingi very well done as always!” The professor smiles at Mingi.
“Thank you professor.” The blond smiles happily.
Mingi absolutely loves Potions and he’s incredibly good at them. He’s a top student in all of his subjects, being always top 2. Him and Yunho have been fighting for the number 1 spot since forever. But one subject he absolutely dominates, it’s Potions, and Yunho? Well he’s terrible, he barely passes through the years and never finished a school year without at least melting something.
This rivalry between them is a healthy thing, at least to Yunho. Yunho teases Mingi from time to time since he can remember. Mingi sees it as Yunho trying to always one up him. Trying to embarrass him. Trying to prove he’s better. Mingi doesn’t understand the reasoning behind it, just accepts it, slowly building a resentment.
And maybe Mingi could have brushed it off. Maybe. If they didn’t have a history of problems.
Back in 3rd year, Mingi had a crush.
His crush was none other than Seonghwa, the beautiful Slytherin that sat with him on the first day. They had the same schedule since first year. Seonghwa was gentle, brilliant, a little ethereal even. He was always ready to help those in need. Easily making friends with everyone. So it was easy to fall for this gentle soul.
Apparently so did Yunho.
Unfortunately, Yunho was also there, trying to get Seonghwa’s attention. Being from the same house, it gave him leverage.
Seonghwa was showered with love from both of them. Always fighting for his attention.
But Mingi never had the courage to confess.
Seonghwa actually ended up saying yes when Yunho asked.
Two months. Two months of holding hands, sitting together at meals, smiling at each other sweetly in the middle of class.
Everything Mingi had dreamed about. And all fell through in a matter of seconds. Of course the slytherin always got what he wanted.
That's when he stopped hanging out with Seonghwa all together. It hurt too much. To Yunho it was a victory, not having to share Seonghwa’s attention anymore.
But a few months later, they broke up, deciding they were better off as friends.
Mingi got over Seonghwa eventually but the resentment toward Yunho never left, mixed with the fight for top 1 in classes. It was just a mixture of hatred.
Mingi’s voice cuts through the room.
“Professor? Yunho’s potion is turning orange again.”
Laughter erupts.
Yunho clenches his jaw.
“Song Mingi.” Professor Mar warns sharply. “Focus on your own cauldron.”
“Yes, professor.” Mingi says with an innocent smile that Yunho knows is anything but innocent.
30 minutes later
Yunho’s potion was not only orange. It was bubbling like a volcano as well.
“Stop stirring Yun!” Wooyoung yelled in desperation.
Suddenly… A loud BOOM shook the entire room.
Orange sludge splashes across several rows. A Ravenclaw shrieks. Three Hufflepuffs duck in terror.
Yunho wipes goo off his face, ears burning red.
Professor Mar sighs so deeply Yunho swears he feels the temperature drop.
“Mister Jeong. Stay after class.”
Mingi tries — and fails — to hold in laughter.
Yunho shoots him a glare sharp enough to cut steel.
After class
“Yunho…” Professor Mar begins. “Your work ethic is admirable, I’m sure every other teacher has told you this. But here in Potions… not so much.”
Yunho grimaces when he hears her.
“You know Potions is a required subject for Auror applications. And at this rate I have no other option other than fail you.”
“I know.” Yunho looks at the floor.
“You need help. I’m going to assign you a Tutor.”
“What?” Yunho looks up in surprise.
“Yes, this is your last chance. This can't keep happening if you actually want to be an Auror.”
Yunho sighs. “Alright. Thank you professor.”
Wooyoung is waiting outside for Yunho, leaning on the classroom wall.
“How did it go?”
“You win.”
“I win?”
“Yeah, I got assigned a tutor.”
Wooyoung cackles. “See, I told you needed one.”
“Shut up.” Yunho starts walking away in annoyance.
At the Ravenclaw common room
“Well look at the bright side, at least she didn’t put you in detention.” Wooyoung said sheepishly.
Yunho doesn’t answer.
Wooyoung squints at him. “Yun?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s a lie.”
Yunho exhales sharply and rubs his face with both hands. “I just— I can’t fail. I won’t fail. Do you know what my parents will say if—”
“They’ll survive,” Wooyoung cuts in gently. “And you’re not failing. You’re getting help.”
Yunho stiffens. “I don’t need help.”
“Yun.”
“I don’t.”
Wooyoung gives him a look.
Before Yunho can argue further, a soft thump lands on the table in front of them. A small owl flutters up to the back of the couch, blinking sleepily.
Yunho stares at the parchment tied to its leg.
His stomach drops.
Slowly, he unties it and unfolds the letter.
Jeong Yunho,
As discussed, you have been assigned a tutor for Potions, effective immediately. Attendance is mandatory.
Your tutor will be: Song Mingi.
Every Thursday, 7 PM. Potions classroom.
— Professor Mar
The parchment crumples in Yunho’s hand.
Wooyoung leans over, reading the name.
“Oh.”
Yunho laughs, short, humorless. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“Anyone,” Yunho says —voice tight. “but him. There’s so many other smart people in class.”