Archive of Our Own

The massive gates of the Hogwarts Dining Hall opened as soon as their guests arrived.

Durmstrang had put up an impressive entrance act, one that was a tough act to follow. Most students were enamoured by their might and prowess as their ship crashed through the unsteady new moon tides and they stepped in the hall with sharp, loud thudding of their staff. The whole ambience of brute strength was rounded off by an impeccable show of fire, skillfully taking the shape of a dragon, a proud show of their gold encrusted dragon emblem. The students clambered over each other to take a peek at those fine, seemingly Herculean legends, the true masters of prideful outwardly strength. 

Reki would be lying if he said that those heavyweights did not intimidate him. Their faces were sculpted with stone, not a crack of fear of nervousness even as they were surrounded by erratic flames of the fire. Reki almost cowered in his robes. They were practically emotionless, or maybe they opted not to let anything from the surroundings inflict upon their stature. Reki’s mouth went agape as he saw their HeadMaster walk towards their own, and he was a bit concerned of his weak, frail, old man until they greeted each other with a hug. Reki was surprised at how strong yet gentle that hug was, full with promise of camaraderie. 

The Beauxbatons were next. Reki had heard about them, a fine display of opulence and decadence. Their school was situated somewhere in the Pyrenees . His peers speak of the breath-taking beauty of a chateau surrounded by lavish gardens and lawns created out of the mountainous landscape by magic. Their sophistication hid the elegance with which they casted spells, not an inch of imperfection in their words, in their actions, as opposed to Durmstrang, who would opt for the deadliest spells recklessly. 

Their entrance was nothing short of entrancing. A series of nymphs flew around them, glittering their halls with gold and silver, sparks flying everywhere. Not just the atmosphere, Reki could see every man and woman falling in love with the newest guests' polished ways, mellifluous voice and graceful dance routine with which they gave a whimsical display of magic. Even Miya, who never seems to take his eyes off Muggle inventions, spared a second look at them, and Reki would be blind as to not see the flush on his cheeks. 

Even the HeadMaster wore what Reki thought was probably the most stylish and expensive fur jacket, complete with a silk skirt, which was much higher in quality as compared to the student’s uniform. And that was a tall order, because the students' uniforms gleamed under the dim lights of the dining hall.

Reki propped a head on his palm, eyes shuffling through students one by one. He was a Seventh Year, and had everything to prove still before he graduated. He wanted to make a mark, to be the best, and he’d been counting on this moment- when two sister schools would arrive so that he’d participate in the one and only, most prestigious…

Triwizard Tournament. 

He’d been applying towards studies and practicing tirelessly on the Quidditch Field. He’s not afraid of visiting the Dungeons or the Magical Beasts lessons, on the contrary welcomes them with open, and unfortunately scratched, arms. He’s been cramming spells in the Common Room, and been- much to Miya’s dismay- asking him to test him or duel him. He was almost lucky Miya did not fall in the age demographic for the Tournament, if he did so then he’d probably have been selected. A prodigy of magic through and through, that boy.

They started their meal with a much longer prayer and much heartier food placed in front of them.

Reki was going to enter his name in the Goblet first thing the next day.

" The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire. Anybody wishing to enter themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet, aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Hallowe'en, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete. "

He was not going to enter his name just yet.

Call it underconfidence built after years of underestimation, call it underlying insecurities he’s never been able to resolve, but he needed time. And more importantly, he needed privacy to enter his name.

The parchment with “Reki Kyan- Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Magic” was inked in clear, block letters, tucked in the pocket on his robe. He occasionally held the paper in between his fingers, rubbing it together; contemplating, getting last second jitters.

“Idiot” Miya smacked him lightly on the head “If you’re gonna piss out on merely putting a piece of paper in a glowly goblet, how on Earth will you face the competition?”

Reki wanted to tell him that those two required completely different types of courage, and one of them he wasn’t quite sure he had it in him at all. He gave his answer in a long sigh. Time was ticking fast, and he had only about 7 hours.

He peeked into the Dining Room right after lunch.

The time was most convenient. The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were now out in the open after a good night’s sleep and a mentorship session, so most kids were out to frock in the open fields and make some new inter-school connections and friendships. The whole building was mostly empty, and Reki could see a huge crowd in those grassy, open plains. Blues and blacks and reds mingled together; he saw as he was nearing the Dining room.

He craned his neck and searched if any students were there or not. 

He sighed in relief as he saw not a single body in the room. Only sounds that could be heard were the elves working in the kitchen, the clanking of utensils and the soft crackling of the magical blue flame of the goblet.

He took out the parchment and gave it one last look, just to check if everything was clear or not. He could make out his name, and his school’s name effortlessly. He’d hate it if he plucked up the courage and all it took for his rejection was messy handwriting.

He stepped towards the goblet as if one steps towards a caged wild animal. Cautiously, testingly, calculatedly, as if it would pounce a trial of courage, or a baited trap any instance. His hand was wrapped around his wand just in case. 

He slid his toe towards the Line of Age like one touched the water to check its temperature, temperamentally. His show went right in, and he didn’t feel any sting, or blow of barriers, or curse inflicted upon him yet, so he felt reassured. He gulped and put a whole foot in when

Thump!

The loud sound of a leather book closing echoed across the walls of the impossibly large room, startling Reki as he jumped backwards, way away from the cerulean line. He almost tripped over his robes, before he held a tabletop and balanced over again. He was heaving deep, laboured breaths when he brought himself together at last.

“ Désolé ” a soft yet deep voice spoke “ je ne voulais pas te faire peur ”

Reki turned towards the bearer of the voice, and doubled over.

It was a boy. Probably his age. And he was from Beauxbatons, judging by the blue of his uniform, which were only a shade dimmer than his hair. He had a very pale skin, the kind of skin he’d seen his Muggle relatives living in mountains possess.

Funny, Reki thought, within all the students he’s seen from the school, he didn’t catch sight of him at all.

With the striking blue eyes, blue uniform, blue hair, he’d almost camouflage within the lights of the room. Maybe he did, for Reki couldn’t sense him in there at all. Or maybe he just had that secretive, mysterious presence, like he did yesterday when Reki checked out all the French school’s students.

“Excuse me?”

The boy shifted on his seat, and ducked his head down, embarrassed. Reki looked towards the other side as well. This was...awkward.

“I meant” he mumbled under his breath “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you”

Reki numbly nodded his head. He was so close....

“Are you entering?” the boy asked, eyes now wider with curiosity.

“I guess” Reki shrugged, stepping towards him, “What about you?”

“I’m...not sure yet. I think I might”

He turned his attention back towards the leather bound book, very interested in the sewing of the cover. He tapped his fingers. Reki understood him, he’s been feeling the same way.

But this was no time to chit chat, he can do that in the five or so months their school would be present. This was time to make the most crucial decision of his life. He fisted his hands, not too tight to crumple the paper, and took brisk, strong steps towards the goblet.

The Triwizard Tournament was deathly, fatal, gruesome. He knew that it had caused several deaths in the past, and his life is likely on the line as well. He might die, might get injured and never be able to walk again.

But, his mind retaliates, what’s the use of shying away from a little excitement in your life?

In a sudden splurge of courage and bravado, he inhaled and triumphantly thrusted the piece of paper inside the goblet. The flames devoured the parchment, and he couldn’t see its fate. But he trusted his Headmaster’s magic, if it was gone then it really was gone. 

He felt a pair of eyes boring into his body, and turning back, he saw the same boy looking intently at him, almost as if he discovered a small miracle right in front of him. Reki felt a heat of shyness wash over him, and his cheeks flood with colour. He rubbed his hands against his neck, chuckling awkwardly

“So, you wanna go next or something?”

The boy jostled about, as if he woke from a daydream, which confused Reki. But nevertheless, he muttered something in what Reki knew was French.

“I can’t understand that language, dude”

The boy looked up to meet his eye, and with a more stable voice, said 

“Pardon me, but why are you entering this tournament?”

Reki seemed surprised at the sudden query. His eyes grew as big as saucers and he nearly jumped out of his skin. He gripped his robes tighter, knuckles almost paling, contrasting against the dark black material. 

“Sorry, that’s a bit too intrusive, isn’t it?”

Well, on any good day, it might have been. But he wasn’t exactly wrong with asking this either. After all, everyone has their own ambitions, a story in their hearts, a fable they’d want the world to know. Reki wanted his own tales to ring into the ears of the wizards and witches.

“To make a mark.” he answered. His voice was relentless, strong, firm as he spoke, an unwavering oath he administered to himself, an oath that went straight to the boy’s heart, and he looked at Reki with more fascination. “To tell all the folks that even a Muggle-born can achieve greatness. To do something with my life before leaving this school without feeling any sense of fulfillment. If I waste opportunities that are exciting and fun, I’ll always regret it. And I don’t want any regrets as I leave Hogwarts. I want to be the best!”

He stretched his arms out towards the faux-sky, reaching for the stars.

“The best, huh…” the boy whispered

The boy didn’t say anything after that. Reki didn’t, either, but he did, however take a seat beside him. The boy’s mouth was slightly agape. 

He was...interesting, Reki concluded. They’ve just met and yet after hearing Reki’s overt words he’s thinking, contemplating, deciding, as seen by the scrunch of his eyebrows on his forehead. The boy licked his lips, and flitted through the pages of the book, stopping at one particular page and standing up.

“I...don’t know why I want to enter” the boy spoke suddenly, facing the goblet. Reki couldn’t see his expression.

“I...it just feels right. But if I don’t have a reason, a drive, how will I succeed?”

Reki swung his legs and stood up right alongside him “Maybe you’ll figure things out as you go along. I’d say, if you want to do it, really want to do it, go for it!”

The boy gave a single, shaky nod. Reki heard footsteps thundering across the hallway leading to the Dining room, accompanied by the constant cacophony of students chattering. Reki saw the students talking deeply among themselves, not noticing the presence of two students already there.

“Hasegawa Langa,” the boy said. Reki was shocked that he could hear him despite the commotion. “My name,” the boy continued, “is Hasegawa Langa. Nice to meet you”

Reki shook his outstretched hand “Reki Kyan, nice to meet you too”

Langa took out a single piece of parchment out of the book he’d been reading, “I think I should do this”

Reki gave him a small smile and gentle pat for support.

Langa huffed and took long strides towards the goblet. 

The students suddenly went silent.

Langa opened the piece of parchment. The small crinkle of it could be heard within the room, as the student’s breaths held with anticipation. Langa exhaled, and went on his toes, reaching out for the rim of the vessel, before sliding the paper inside, hearing the sound of fire engulfing it.

The peers cheered and hollered, their hoots and whoops vibrating throughout the room. Langa found himself stuck in between bodies of his schoolmates clinging onto him, some girls asking for his hand in marriage and some boy thumping him loudly on the back, sliding their arms around his neck and ruffling his hair.

Reki supposed he was now being a stick in the mud, so he slid back into his circle of Hogwarts students.

Peristalsis was involuntary, but Reki still tries to control the motion of the food inside him, pushing it down because heaven forbids if his nerves let him swallow a single bit of dinner that night.

All food tastes like everything and nothing at once, and his legs are vibrating under the table. At once point the vibrations reached the table and the food started to rattle. His classmate had to warn him about him, with a rather skeptical look on his face. If he guessed anything about Reki entering, he didn’t say.

The other two schools were coddled up in the extra tables brought out for them. The walking lanes between the tables were narrowed, making it hard to move sometimes, but it was still manageable. Reki’s eyes sought out Langa, and nearly popped out at the amount of food on his plate. 

He cursed his body, why couldn’t he have a metabolism like that?

When the desserts were finally over, the Headmaster silenced the entire hall, and Reki’s heart did a full acrobatics routine, complete with backflips and vaults.

Their breaths were all held, and the tension, suspense, thrill, was almost palpable in the hall. Reki’s breath hitched in his throat as the blue in the goblet changed to a bright fuchsia, and a single piece of paper, unfettered, came flying out, gliding through the air and straight into the Headmaster’s wrinkled hands. 

“From the Academy of Durmstrang” Reki gave a shallow exhale, he needed to relax or else he’ll combust “We have...Hiromi Higa!”

There was an uproar of boisterous cheers and rambunctious hollers, as the students collected over David, a muscular student who was yelling at the top of his lungs, slamming his fists into his chest in pride and hugging everyone who asked for it. He took his staff after a pointed look from his teacher and lined up at the stage, letting everyone know.

His moment of fame was interrupted by the flames of the goblet turning pinkish again, once more ejecting another piece of paper. The crowd quietened. The atmosphere returned crashing into the room.

“From the Beauxbatons School of Magic, our Champion is Hasegawa Langa!”

Reki gawked at the blue haired boy, who was positively being buried under the wave of students. He couldn’t read his face, even if he could see it, because it was just...expressionless. Reki could get why, moments like these are unbelievable. He was chosen, out of all the students from his school for this groundbreaking competition, for a test of skills and survival. Of course he’d be a bit baffled by it all. Regardless, Langa kept his head high and stood up on the stage, eyes looking nowhere in particular.

The goblet turned pink one last time, and Reki was sweating bullets. He bit his nails and jogged on the spot, sitting. His jaw and heart clenched as the piece of parchment, too small for Reki to recognize if it was his or not, slid into the hands on his Headmaster.

“From the Hogwarts Institute of Wizardry and Magic, the Champion is Rek-”

Just after Reki heard the first syllable of his name, he promptly fainted on the spot.

“Idiot” was the faint sound that he heard as soon as his eyes opened to the realm of consciousness

“I agree” another familiar voice followed. Reki blinked his eyes to take it all in, and then the ends of a beard tickled his skin as the Headmaster shook him awake.

“Young man, is everything alright?”

The memories hit Reki like a tsunami on a stormy night, as he bristled awake, panicking

“I’m sorry!” he cried, “I...gosh this is embarrassing”

And then a wave of laughter erupted in the hallways. Children were cackling and laughing mockingly, pointing fingers at him. Reki felt a tad too abashed at the response, and berated himself for the reaction. 

“Reki”

Another vaguely familiar voice echoed throughout his brain, and a wave of blue flooded his vision. The boy knelt down next to him. Reki rubbed his eyes for clarity, but he could still make out that the boy was holding out his hand for him.

“Puis-je vous aider?”

He had to stop speaking in French if he were to talk to Reki.

“Man....”

“May I help you?” the boy spoke, now in a dialect Reki could understand.

Reki nodded slightly, grabbing his open palm and letting him pull him on his two feet. He chafed his head, he hoped it didn’t hurt too much. He didn’t have a lot many days to rest before the Tournament.

“Kyan” the Headmaster spoke, eyes stern, “the stage, please”

Reki hoped his balance and senses supported him as he got to the stage and heard the student’s tease turn to fascination and hype.

This was certainly going to be interesting.

“I hope you’re not gawking at the Beauxbatons Champion” his sister scolded him, swatting his arm.

He turned a bright red. 

“O-of course not!”

He really was.

“Let him do that, you punk” Miya drawled, applying hair gel “Maybe he’s reading his weaknesses”

“First of all, Reki should be focusing on his own abilities and weaknesses rather than wasting his time looking at others. And secondly, you think with that look he’s going to notice anything of value? Open your eyes, Miya”

She slapped his cheek, mischievously tousled the hair he was trying to keep into place, and snickered.

“Oh fuck off!” Miya swore, loud enough for a few juniors to turn their heads and then whisper in outrageous tones.

“Please” Reki pinched his temple “stop this and help me out. So, where were we? Mandrakes...”

“You have to steer away from its cry, so you can’t really take it out to assess if the plant is a Mandrake. The best thing to do is to analyze the leaves, and the base of their roots. See-”

Langa passed by them, presumably heading towards the toilets. Reki suddenly felt the urge to talk about something more advanced. Something more...worthy of someone’s attention.

With all the confidence and gloat he had in him, he went, “Pssh, we did Mandrakes in Second Year, they’re old news now. Of course I know about them!” and waved his hand, like an affluent woman flaunts her wealth. Langa had long gone. His posture went a little slack

“Okay, then, tell me what Mandrakes are for” her sister raised an eyebrow, hips cocked to one side, a smirk on her face.

“Oh it’s to…” 

And Reki’s mind went blank, like an empty sheet of paper. His mouth opened and closed, finger folded and unfolded, but no words came out. A group of girls went past them, turning towards Reki, tittering among themselves and giggling before briskly walking away. He gave them a small wave. Popularity was an exciting game.

“Focus!” Miya hit him with a gust of magic, one that knocked his head back into motion.

“Big brother” Koyomi sighed dejectedly “It’s for reversing the effect of petrification. Gosh!” she slammed her head against the table. “You’re hopeless…”

“Give him a break, you Stuck Up” Miya took out his tongue “He knows a lot. He’ll get through with this”

“Sorry if some of us are trying to save him from getting seriously injured” she retorted, Reki’s Herbology lesson now forgotten.

“Don’t even worry about Reki’s injuries. In fact, get your own brain checked”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You think you’re smart, figure it out”

“You little-”

“Can we please focus on the first task?” Reki, already tired from her sister and friend bickering his ears out, desperately asked.

“Sure thing, only, we don’t know what it’s about!” Koyomi admonished. “That’s why, we’re preparing you for anything!”

“Reki,” Miya tugged on his robe, leading him away from his sister and into the Gryffindor Common Room, “Practice duelling with me. At least we’ll do something productive rather than cram a bunch of pages”

If Koyomi was whining about something, Reki was already deaf to it.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” Reki complained, slapping a palm to his forehead and dragging it down.

“I wish I was” Miya gave sympathetic pats on his back. Reki looked completely maddened by this.

“Dragons? Seriously?” Reki wailed, exasperatedly, before collecting himself. He was very well aware of the news reporters present, tracing his every move. He tried keeping a brave face, but one could notice the cracks of nervousness.

“Dragons. Seriously” his sister snapped, holding his cheeks “Get it together, big brother”

“I have got it together!” Reki retaliated with voice cracking at the edges. He had not got it together. “I’m going to go right in and snatch the dragon egg under his big ol’ nose!”

“You better. You’re on your own, buddy”

He chewed his lip. He caught the flash of the camera. He immediately shot up to a more presentable posture.

“Best of luck, Reki”

It was Langa. And he was smiling. Genuinely.

Reki was, again, a bit curious as to why Langa was acting so friendly, when someday- maybe even today- they’d have to compete against each other for the last shred of life. Reki pushed that thought away; after passing the first round, he’d have two months to think about that.

It would be rude not to return his sportsmanship, so he nodded back and heard the sound of the trumpets and drums as the gate opened in front of them.

“I saw my life flashing” Reki heaved, as soon as he calmed his nerves and got composure. 

“At least that movie didn’t turn into a direct gateway to heaven” Koyomi spoke, as she bandaged his arms. The disinfectant stung his arms, and he wailed. He could use magic right then, but some human wounds can’t be interfered with by spells. After all, you could only mess with nature that much.

That was, in essence, what Reki learnt today facing the dragons. He’d cast every spell known to him, even ones he did not learn in practice but took a leap of faith just for that day. He’s been shooting curses and enchantments. When the Norwegian Ridgeback, that cruel, cruel predator scarred his arm and tore into the flesh on his torso, he had half a mind to try an unforgivable curse. But he knew he wasn’t potent enough to do so.

After a very harsh launch at the Ridgeback’s back, he touched the beast for the first time, which was scary on its own for the creature had spikes, and he was concerned about the safety of his hands. But somehow, keeping contact with him directly, even though didn’t completely lull him, did give Reki a more...direct control than merely casting spells to maneuver him away. Reki took the opportunity and flung himself, albeit very dangerously towards the next and as long as his eyes remained open and his mind still functioned after five minutes of dizziness, held onto the egg and climbed upstairs towards the finish line. 

He passed out for an hour right as he touched the asphalt of the floor.

“But let’s keep that aside for now, shall we?” she continued good naturedly, “You got the egg! That’s amazing!”

Reki looked over to the bedside, and sure enough, the egg was there. Kept in its glory, shining against the evening twilight, golden painted with a rich sheen of purple and orange. It looked enchanting, mystical. Reki reached out, but then cowered in the sudden wave of pain in his limbs.

When the nurse handed him the egg, his sister and friend scooted closer, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, eagerly anticipating the secrets it held. Reki looked around, there seemed to be no one in sight, which was good, lest he should be sabotaged. The Durmstrang and Beauxbatons Champions were treated in separated infirmaries.

Reki twisted the knob of the egg, slowly, vigilantly. He didn’t want to be shot by anything right then. He had rotated the knob a bit, and he wasn’t attacked by any magical force. Taking a sigh of relief and then a breath of courage, he went all the way, then

“TURN IT OFF!” Miya squeaked, covering his ears tightly, as the egg gave a loud cacophony of horribly mixed shrieks. His sister was burying her face into Reki’s sheets, looking just as tormented. Reki hastily twisted it back to how it was. Closed.

It took a few minutes for all three of them to return their auditory senses into normalcy. Reki kept looking intently at the egg, then moving his hands around it, examining it.

“Big brother” Koyomi spoke when she finally gained the ability to hear anything without wincing “Take some rest. We’ll talk about this tomorrow”

So intoxicated his body still remained with everything that happened that day, that the kiss to his forehead unfortunately didn’t do much to sway him into tranquility.

Once his eyelids finally got droopy, he smiled.

What a fun day.

Reki remained in the infirmary for a week. A very long week.

But he was glad it was only five days. Hiromi apparently has five more days to be bedridden.

For someone looking that strong and serious and overdramatic, he took the news surprisingly well. Out of sportsman spirit and respect, Reki spared a short visit to ask him about his health(with a muffin he stole from the kitchens). Hiromi was friendly. And welcoming, and even congratulated him on his victory.

Reki strolled through the hallways aimlessly. The resting period gave him enough time to catch up on homework and classwork, so he was basically free. Well, he should be preparing for the next task, but he had two whole months. He’s sure half an hour won’t ruin much.

His egg still remained at the back of his mind. What on Earth was that? How was he supposed to decode its message for the next task if he couldn’t get any clue to start his search?

Deep in his thoughts, he couldn’t comprehend that a Beauxbaton student was approaching him equally distracted, and he rammed right into him, heads colliding. The student’s foot stepped on his robes, and he tripped down, only to take the boy with him.

“Ow…” Reki wailed, rubbing his head “I’m sorry I didn’t see- Langa!”

Langa, blinking his back to steadiness, groaned as well, before looking at him and erupting into a smile, eyes gleaming.

“Reki! Ah... I should have been more careful”

“No no!” he waved his hands in front of him. “It’s my fault, I wasn’t paying attention. Uh…” he chuckled awkwardly. Now that they were there, he’d probably ask how he was. It was only fair after Langa wish luck to him despite them being on opposing schools 

“So...how…”

Reki reprimanded his brain. Why weren’t words coming into his mouth? Why did his throat feel so...dry? 

Langa tilted his head in confusion, eyes going round, lips slightly pouting. Reki coughed, his look certainly wasn’t helping matters.

“How’re you doing?”

Langa, who now stood up, held his hand out and tugged him up as well. 

Their hands didn’t separate as Langa said in a gentle, charming tone, “I’m doing alright” and kissed the back of Reki’s hands.

Reki’s face flamed up, and heat spread across his face like a forest fire. 

“Um.” was all that could come out of his mouth. Reki had ever been kissed by someone other than his relatives before. Not even on the hand, much less his cheeks or lips. He wasn’t exactly the pinnacle of a dream boy.

Langa visibly shook, then blushed, stuttering “It’s...a polite way of greeting…”

Reki pressed his lips into a thin line. Of course it was. Why would he think otherwise?

“I was looking for you, actually” Langa spoke, and one of his schoolmates approached the two Champions from behind. Reki, however, paid no heed to him. 

“Ah yes, he really was.” his...friend (?) affirmed.

“What happened?”

Langa’s eyes darted to the sides. Reki took in the surroundings. The hallways were dead empty, save for a ghost floating around, flirting with one of the inanimate photographs of a dead Potions teacher. 

Langa leaned in, mouth now directly next to his ear “So...have you cracked the egg?”

Reki, previously too gobsmacked by the sudden proximity, jerked back, and whispered “No...I’ve been trying to”

Langa’s friend tapped his shoulders, and cocked a questioning eyebrow. Maybe he wanted in on their conversation. Reki tried to hide the annoyance on his face. This was a Champion talking to a Champion, not your everyday conversation. He gritted his teeth

“Um...Reki...you should take a bath”

Now that was a scurrilous statement. Who on Earth did not take baths? Even the elves did, for Merlin’s sake!

“Wow” he rolled his eyes sarcastically “I never knew that. Thanks for enlightening me, eh?”

Langa shook his hands desperately “No! That’s not what I meant...I...you should go to the bath...I mean…”

Now Reki was really bewildered. Why was Langa so persistent of him taking a bath? It didn’t make sense…

“Well we can...I mean you...wanna show something…I mean…” and he trailed back off into his French tongue. The boy behind him nudged, and gave him a very stern and pointed look. Reki scratched his head.

“You wanna show me something…?”

“I don’t...I shouldn’t do that...I think...”

“So, if I somehow get this” he started, crossing his arms, “You want us to go take a bath so that you can show me something you think you shouldn't?”

It took Reki five seconds to realize just how incredulous his assumption sounded, all the innuendos that went with it. Langa’s friend guwaffed loudly, barely able to contain himself as he unluckily caught onto the double meaning...Reki wanted to dig a hole and bury himself!

And he has certainly going to bury that mental image in a hellfire.

Langa’s looks suggested that he wanted to do the same as well.

“I’ll take a bath…” as an afterthought “ alone!!! By myself!!” 

“That’s good! I mean-” and he stopped again, glowing a shade darker. It matched the Gryffindor tie on Reki’s neck.

“Yeah yeah I get it. Egg. Bath. Gotcha”

He cringed inwardly at the finger guns he shot as he ran off the place.

When the droplets of the shower hit the egg and seeped through the miniscule crack as Reki opened it, it started to glow.

It only glowed and spoke in distorted musical tones when it was in contact with water. 

Reki got an inkling as to how it should work. But he needed someplace a bit more private. And a bit bigger. Someplace where the water could engulf the egg as a whole.

As he would go out, he’d realize that for now, the egg could be the least of his problems.

“Why the fuck is there a ball?” Reki wailed to the pamphlet in his hands, completely aghast by the news.

“It’s tradition!” Koyomi supplied, already twirling on the spot, presumably imagining her own prince charming sweeping off her feet. Reki knew he had one more thing on his to-do list as an elder brother- keeping an eye on whoever tried their luck with Koyomi.

“Traditions are just peer pressure by dead people” Miya grumbled, equally as pissed as Reki.

“Come on!” she playfully shoved Miya “Balls are majestic! Beautiful! Isn’t it lovely when your partner holds you in your arms and dances under the twinkling lights?”

“I’m not imagining my little sister being courted by a boy” Reki growled under his breath.

Koyomi huffed, “You know what you should be worried about instead of me getting a boy? Your dance partner! You’re a Champion! Without a partner you’ll be seriously mocked! What a shame would it be!”

Realization made Reki break into a cold sweat, as he groaned into his palms “I’ve never even been asked out on a date! Or given a Valentine’s Cupid Arrow! Or chocolate! How will I find a partner willing to be hooked in my arms for a whole night?”

“You’ll get someone” Miya answered, changing his teapot into a frog and back “You’re a Champion, girls will flock around you for a chance!”

That thought did lift Reki’s spirits. A bit.

Reki did not get a partner until the next two weeks. He hadn’t asked anyone, to be honest, and he did get a grand total of eight requests, but he knew just by the looks of them that they were not interested in him. They were interested in his title as a Champion. In the glory and points they’d score on the social ladder, swaying in a big ballroom in the arms of a renowned student.

He doesn’t regret being picky at all.

He steps into the library. That place should be quiet. And he could read stuff for the next task. 

To his chagrin, he heard a small racket in there. He peered behind one of the bookshelves and looked at what was happening there. There were peers from all three schools, all indulging a particular Beauxbaton boy.

“Who’s your date~” a boy from Hogwarts asks, teasingly. Langa shakes his head 

“No one. I haven’t asked anyone”

“What do you mean by that?” a girl asked. Before Langa could speak she said,”Guess this means you’re still single! Go with me! I’ve been taking dancing lessons ever since I was 8!”

“I’ve been taking lessons ever since I was 7!”

“Hasegawa, please, I’m one of your largest fans! The way you flew under that dragon was phenomenal!”

“You don’t even remember the name of the dragon! Hasegawa, please, accept my invitation…”

Reki could read that Langa felt it was too much of everything. Too many people. Too much noise. Too much sound. Too loud, and too many senses. Langa’s eyes shifted through everything in the room, from the ghosts that chanted riddles at the bookshelves to the tables to the librarian’s desk, and then finally settling on Reki. His face called for help, but Reki didn’t know what to do. Reki did, however, step closer to the crowd, eyes telling him that yes, he would help him out of his conundrum. Before he could act on anything, however, Langa took him by the hand and dragged him outside the room.

Reki didn’t object to the all too sudden escapade, instead he took his new acquaintance to his corner of the staircase near the Arithmancy classroom. No one went there for lessons, he doubted anyone would stray near the room for fun, either. He’d done this many times with Miya, who in his early youth was often stuck in the same predicament as Langa, being such a wanted and popular wizard surrounded by lovers and haters showing passion much too overwhelming. Even he had come there a few times to take a breather, but luckily Reki was very inept in social situations.

He opened the window for fresh air and pulled Langa towards the small seating space on the windowsill. It was still daylight, but the sun started to set slightly. He’d give it half an hour before dusk. Reki didn’t touch him after that, letting him calm down on his own. He saw Langa’s fingers shifting from the wooden sill to the metal frames and the stony walls, his eyes closed shut, before they opened again. He gave one last exhale. 

Langa spoke, something in French again, a bit breathless. Reki arched an eyebrow. He seemed to turn red, “I mean, sorry about that”

“It’s no big deal”

And they went quiet again. 

Langa looked away from him and towards the view outside. It was the Quidditch pitch, right in its glory. The stands and the grass with small water drops after its sprinkling session glinted against the orange sun washing over them.

“You wanna fly around for a while?” Reki proposed, noticing the obvious interest Langa’s eyes held for the pitch.

“I don’t have a broom”

“We’ll take one from the storage” the spoke, getting up from their place and stretching his arms “Unless you don’t want to”

“No” he stood up beside him “I’ll like this”

Reki held his wrist and pulled him all the way towards the storage room.

Beauxbaton hands were icy.

After school Reki wanted to try out for a professional Quidditch team.

Well, that wasn’t his only option. He could try his hand in broomstick making as well, after all, he’d been fixing his and his classmates’ brooms every since Second Year. He was quite good at making Potions as well, and he’d scored the second highest in the O.W.Ls too. 

But soaring through the sky with that unbridled, unbound feeling of freedom was unsurmountable. The wind rushing through his hair made him spread his wings, as he did loops right in the air, flying everywhere the breeze took him. 

He had reached right on top of the school roof. He looked down at the scenery, the sun dipping just below its breast, sparkling against the water like rubies. Reki smiled to himself, flying always gifted him such views. Maybe, when he’d be lucky enough to get someone to date him, he’d bring them up here. 

Oh, that reminded him. He had someone he brought along. He looked down, but couldn’t see Langa anywhere. 

“Langa!” he screamed his lungs out. 

“You’re impressive” came the smooth reply from right beside him, nearly making him slip off his broomstick.

He regained his lost breaths. 

“You think you’d give a boy some warning?”

“Ah sorry” Langa rubbed the back of his neck “I suppose you’d get lost in views so majestic as these”

Langa’s eyes weren’t on the scenery at all.

“Yeah, that’s the best thing about flying. Gives the feeling of freedom! Infinity! No boundaries whatsoever!”

“You don’t have boundaries?”

“Man, of course I mean it more in a metaphoric way”Reki replied “You’d be shocked at how much the teachers want to scold you for flying even a centimeter beyond the bay of the lake”

“Sorry for misunderstanding”

“Don’t be sorry for that! Anyways, wanna check out the lake?”

Langa nodded eagerly, and followed Reki on his broomstick.

Reki would glance over his shoulder ever so often to check on Langa, and man, Langa was good. His stance told him that he was a boy who knew controlling a broom and knew it well. And he was fast. Something in his eyes, though, told Reki he could go even faster. 

That was intriguing. Reki decided to test just how swiftly he could move on that thing. He gave a small smirk, something that took Langa aback, and immediately sped up, making a rapid beeline for the lake.

Langa could read the air, he was competing. He gave him a small smile, and narrowed his eyes, going faster to be neck in neck with Reki.

There wasn’t any other route they could have taken to the lake, so this was purely a test for speed. Reki lunged forward, the lake was right in front of him. He just needed to go a bit further, and then…

Langa overtook him, and took a sharp turn, now floating perpendicular to Reki as he gestured him to stop. Reki’s jaw went slack. Wow, he sure was good. 

“Let’s just take our time, yeah?”

Reki, feeling a tad embarrassed at being caught for being so childish, replied “I...yeah”

And with Langa at the lead this time, they flew next to the river bank, and dipped low enough to reach the water. Reki could see his reflection on the calm, still water. He could also see translucent sights of fishes swimming just below the surface. Such a breathtaking view…

Wait. The river. 

Oh Merlins, that should be perfect for taking the egg! He’d just take a small dip, get all the information he needs, and then wash himself off before someone else notices! Ah, what a splendid idea, why couldn’t he have thought of this before?

Well, now he had, and he was basking in the fact that he came to an intelligent conclusion so much, that he didn’t catch Langa as he sunk his hands in the water and splashed it all over Reki’s face.

“Langa, what’s the big-”

And then he stopped.

And lifted his gaze. And got completely immersed in what occurred in front of him.

Hasegawa Langa was laughing. Heartily. Cheeks flushed. Former expression slewing into a laughter that made hot magma run through his veins.

Saying Langa was beautiful wasn’t a very acute revelation. It was like acknowledging that the grass is green or the sky is blue. Something that had been present the entire time, but was just being voiced out. Letting the fact settle in his brain.

And boy did it make his ear tips go red and face completely grazed with colour, and blood popping like the soda pop flavoured Bertie Beans.

He gripped on the broom tightly. He can’t fall.

Langa splashed more water onto his face

“What happened?”

“Oh...just admiring the view”

This time it was Reki whose eyes weren’t looking anywhere at the scenery.

“That was...great” Reki said, as they stayed a bit more in flight until the sun had properly set and made its way for the stars.

“Yeah…” Langa looked out of breath.

“You’ve played Quidditch before?”

That was a stupid question. Of course he had. But Reki had nothing to talk about right then.

“Yeah, for school cups and all. I want to go even further, though”

“Same!” Reki piped, swinging an arm around Langa’s “Did you choose a team?”

“No...well, a few recruiters did come by. But I will think about that later”

“When will later come, when you’ve graduated or something?”

“I guess...I wanted this Tournament to pass by”

Reki shrugged, “Makes sense”

Reki closed the storage closet behind them. Langa was fidgeting with his fingers as Reki turned back towards him.

“So...the Yule Ball. I’m sure you’d have a date by now” Langa spoke, completely flustered for some reason.

“Uh...no, unfortunately. Not yet”

“I see”

It grew silent. He should head back to his dorm, seeing how the conversation had no intention of going anywhere…

“Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me?” 

...or maybe not.

Reki, google-eyed, considered his question. More like, considered that him being asked out, on a ball, by someone that popular and handsome, was actually happening. Reki spluttered

“I!!” and cleared his throat “I...aren’t we both Champions?”

“We are”

“Wouldn’t that be...sorta...against the rules?”

Langa cocked an eyebrow “Where is that written?”

He had a great point. 

Reki, making up his mind, stepped forward, and gently, chivalrously took his hand. He brought it close to his face, smiled, and kissed the back of it, just like Langa did all those days ago. With a corner of his lips flitting up at the blush on Langa’s cheeks, he answered

“See you at the ball, Langa”

Reki went the next morning, right when the wintry air blew and dew drops were present on the leaves and the water was icy cold, into the lake. It should be a horrible decision on his part, but he digressed. This was the only time he’d get least interference from anyone. 

Also, he owed Miya a whole sickle from dragging him there before sunrise.

He renewed the underwater charms on his notebook by his sister, who refused to come alongside them, saying she had breakfast duty and wanted as much sleep as she could get. 

Turns out, he didn’t need the notebook much after all. 

The ethereal, otherworldly, mellifluous song of the angels inside the egg cluing him towards the next task was more than enough to imprint on his mind for eternity.

He’d never heard something purer before. The tune would be engraved in his heart permanently.

He still, for good measure, noted down the riddle it gave him afterwards. He’d have to work on it with his friends somehow.

When he tried opening the egg again, it did not do so.

“ ‘We’ve taken what you’ll sorely miss’ ...what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It might be something deep” Koyomi rubbed her chin “Maybe they’ll take away your memories?”

Reki looked appalled “They can’t do that!”

Miya shrugged “Why not? They can kill you in one of these, your arm and ribs broke in the last one. Who is to say?”

“This is so unfair!” Reki grumbled, plopping down on the bed, “We have three weeks until the second task, right?”

“And a week before that ball!” Koyomi exclaims, happily.

“You seem bubbly, did someone ask your sorry ass?” Miya teased

“Well, a few boys did,” she smiled triumphantly. “But I’ve decided to go participate in the band's performance! It’s a better choice”

He snorted “So no one asked you after all”

“You” she pointed a finger to his chest “should mind your own business. It’s not like you have a date”

“By choice. A lot of girls asked me, you know?” he smiled, equally as triumphant

“What a sorry excuse-”

“That reminds me!” Reki blurted, not quite listening to his friend and sister earlier “I need someone to accompany me to Hogsmeade. I need to find a tailor for a suit. Preferably purple.”

Stopping dead in their tracks, Miya and Koyomi slowly twisted their heads towards Reki, expression being utterly stunned. Shocked. Dismayed.

“You…”

“It can’t be…”

“Nah he’s pulling our leg” Miya concluded, 

“Or...maybe he doesn’t have a partner but wants to be prepared just in case!”

“Of course I have a partner!” Reki retorted 

“Oh yeah? Who?”

Reki thought about it. Would it be fine telling them that he was going with a fellow Champion? What would they say? He feels like they would reprimand him for mingling with the enemy. Well, that would be fair, but Langa’s nice. And friendly. And beautiful. So, so beautiful…

“Gosh, I think Big Bro over here is whipped” Miya taunted, nudging his elbow “Way to go!”

“So wait, he can get a date he is infatuated with but it’s hard for you to imagine me dancing with a boy?”

“As dutiful responsibility of an elder brother” Reki said, as he rummaged across his trunk to find all the savings he had “Yes”

The tailor fitting was essentially two long hours of Miya and Koyomi pestering him to reveal his dance partner and trying various forms of blackmail on him as he muted out their annoying little voices.

The whole process of choosing a suit was really tedious.

But, it was all worth it when Langa’s jaw dropped as he descended down the stairs, eyes stared awestruck at him; despite everything magical in the room, fixated on him. 

“You’ve got to be pulling my leg” Miya breathed out in absolute disbelief.

Both of their jaws were opened even more than Langa’s, nearly touching the floor.

“Big Brother...this is preposterous!”

“How on Earth is this preposterous?” Reki asked, a bit nervous

Koyomi turned red, ashamedly, shaking her head to deny a question not even formulated, “It does not have anything to do with the fact that you’re two males. It’s just that you both are Champions. Is this even allowed?”

“It’s not written on stone. I’m sure no one would mind” Reki explained, adjusting the obsidian black tie. 

“Except Langa’s fanclub” Miya murmured, snorting.

“And people thinking Langa might sabotage him” Koyomi said while eyeing the Beauxbaton skeptically.

“He won’t” Reki reassured “And even if there is a chance he might, I’ll keep my guard up. Now let me enjoy my night, he’s waiting for me”

As Reki straightened his back and went elegantly down the stairs, Miya tched and stepped towards the dormitories.

“Where are you headed off to?” Koyomi asked.

“I’ll wear a suit. I really don’t wanna miss this action. See ya on the dance floor. Oh right, no one asked you” he gave a finger salute and jogged away before she could hex him. 

“Shouldn’t the one in the suit receive the one in a dress?” Reki chuckled, as he reached towards the bottom of the stairs, eyes trailing the beautiful periwinkle gown Langa adorned, complete with pearl jewellery to compliment. He even had some eyeshadow on his eyes to accentuate them.

He looked like a snow angel.

Reki should try makeup sometime as well. The thought wasn’t repulsive. 

“I suppose” he answered, tone laced with flirtatiousness, much like his grin “Maybe you can take the lead in the commemorating dance?”

That made Reki scream internally. 

He had completely flunked the ballroom dance lessons!

“You’re quite agile on the dance floor” Langa broke the silence in between them as they were halfway through the first dance. Reki had only stepped on his foot once.

“I was not expecting that compliment tonight” he answered truthfully

“Judging by your attitude I’d say you weren’t expecting any compliment at all”

“Well” he croaked awkwardly “You could say that…”

“You give yourself far less credit, Reki”

He merely hummed in response as he twirled Langa in the air. He was feather light in his arms. His hair flew all over his face, but then settled just as tidily as it was when they had started the dance.

“You look…” Reki started, and met Langa’s turquoise eyes, which promptly made him forget all words he ever wanted to say.

“You also look…”

Guess they were both at a loss for words. That made things a bit easier.

The song ended, and soon other students as their partners filled the dance floor. Hiromi looked positively elated dancing with some black haired girl. Reki had to admit, she did look pretty. And they both had flower crowns on their heads.

“Do you want one as well?” Langa asked, trailing Reki’s gaze

“They look intricate. I never thought Durmstrang boys had it in them”

“They’re secret romantics”

The second song ended. Reki already felt a bit light headed with all that dancing. Langa caught his expression, and took it upon himself

“I want poutine. And punch.”

“How can you eat so much? We still have a few dances to go!”

Langa didn’t pay any heed to how much was on his plate, or that he’d probably scraped off the entire poutine counter and half the punch one. It was delicious, but seriously, what was up with his appetite?

“I guess I digest food fast” he took one final bite, and then placed the plate into the bin “But you’re correct, I should do something other than eating”

A song played. This was much slower, much more passionate, much more sensual than the previous ones. The lights dimmed, and a blanket of pink flowed in the room. 

Well, after that heavy of a meal Langa couldn’t possibly pull off one of the faster songs, he supposed if they were to make a few final appearances, he might as well do so with songs with such a tempo.

It certainly didn’t have anything to do with the fact that Reki wanted to dance on a romantic song with Langa.

There was a very particular set of amber eyes on stage, much like his own, darting between him and Langa, then towards the dance floor. A small smirk on the girl’s face.

This song was specifically for the two of them.

Sneaky, Koyomi Kyan. Real sneaky.

Reki chuckled lightly and invited Langa to what might have been the most romantic dance of his life.

When Langa took him to the gardens at the end of a wonderful night and presented to him a flower crown made of hibiscus and kissed his cheek, just at the corner of his mouth, Reki swore to the stars he’d been flying.

His smile was absolutely dopey and he went back to his dormitory in a trance, remembering the wobbly, stupid smile on Langa’s face and the moonlight reflecting off his porcelain skin.

Reki was paralysed for a good few seconds when he found the friend’s he’d been missing for two days down at the bottom of the same lake that helped him reach that task.

He was thankful he knew where Gillyweed grew, so he plucked as much as he could from the corners of the margins of the lake, and ate some. It should give him a temporary advantage.

He swam quickly towards a petrified Miya and Koyomi, submerged limply, their faces blue and white, like dead scales. Upon touching, their bodies were colder, and he could only register a very faint heartbeat, which only went fainter with time.

It was not fair. He knew his life would be on the line in this fatal Tournament, but he didn’t think his closest friend’s would be roped into this mess as well.

It was all in his hands to fight off the aquatic beasts and feral botany so that he saves them before it’s too late.

Koyomi and Miya gasped as soon as they surfaced from the murky depths of the lake water in Reki’s arms. His limbs stung from the ripples hitting the bloodied and bruised areas, and he was sure that another one of his ribs got fractured. But, feeling the icy skin underneath his fingertips growing warm and the embrace around him growing tighter, he didn’t mind any of the pain and struggle the intense hour threw at him.

“That was incredible!” Koyomi cried jubilantly as soon as she entered the room when Reki was patched up. He looked like half of a mummy. “Hiro boy got up here first, sadly, but you didn’t take much longer than that!”

“He was about 7 minutes late” Miya spoke, coming into the infirmary behind her and placing the meal tray beside the table.

“And that’s not bad” she snapped back, taking a banana and peeling it off for her brother.

“You don’t have to act so laid back, y’know. I’m sure he can take criticism”

“It genuinely. Wasn’t. Bad. And why are you accusing me of being laid back when you didn’t even let him revise his Herbology or Charms well before the task!”

“Because it’s a fucking task, not the O.W.Ls or N.E.W.Ts. What does matter is how impressive and fast he is at the actual task!”

Their growing squabble was interrupted by Reki chuckling, which then grew into a hearty laughter. He probably shouldn’t have laughed that hard, though, because soon he felt a pang in his ribs and he flinched over in a sudden spasm of pain.

“Brother! Are you ok?”

“Did you hit your head or something?”

Reki wiped a happy tear from his eyes. Watching everything unfold back to how is was before after such an adrenaline pumping event made him feel reassured.

“So who would you say is your biggest motivation in your life? ” the interviewer asked him.

He could see she had a rather indifferent look, but her charmed pen was writing every syllable he uttered, so he still had to give a cordial answer. It was tough answering very heartfelt when the interrogator was so dull.

“I’d say my parents and sister. They always believed in my capabilities, and accepted me for my wizardry self, despite being Muggles. Well, my parents, that is. My sister is also a witch, but when she hadn’t awakened her powers, she still supported me”

“Ah, how lovely it is to have such an encouraging family! And the penultimate question for this session, how did you feel during the second task?”

“Oh...uh…” 

All those tasks felt like a surreal experience. It was still nearly impossible to wrap his head around what had happened. Was any of that actually real? Or was it just a drunken dream that’s been prolonged too much?

“It was...weird. And exciting. And scary. Yeah. Seeing two of the people I cherished most, stupefied and frozen with their lives slowly going away by the second...that frightened me a lot. They’ve helped me through so much, despite being younger than me, I couldn’t bear to lose them because of my own inadequacy” he blinked away the tears brimming at his eyes, and tightened his resolve “I had to save them. And I had to do it fast, so that’s what drove me the entire time. I’m glad I did, though. And I’ll take this determination and win the entire Triwizard Tournament Cup”

“That’s impressive” she spoke, words  not matching her expression at all. She looked over at the pen, checking if the spell casted still did its job. Satisfied, she perched her slipping glasses back on her nose, the corners of her mouth twitching to a rather...scandalous smile. Reki felt his blood freeze.

“Ma’am…” he mumbled “Weren’t there supposed to be only 7 questions?”

Her grin only grew. “Good observation. But those were only questions for the second page”

“I...I wasn’t aware Champions covered more than one page”

“Oh, for the Triwizard Tournament they don’t” she stood up and gracefully sat down next to him. Perhaps a little too close. She could read every muscle of his face. Reki was wearied of that.

“But...ah, I won’t tell you too many details, I just want to know- you and Hasegawa”

Reki gulped audibly, feeling droplets of sweat forming at his forehead. He was tongue-tied.

“We’re both Champions, along with Hiromi”

“Oh of course we know that! Some birdies noticed you two getting quite cozy at the dance” she trailed a finger in small circles on his bicep “Is there something you want to reveal to us?”

Apart from the fact that Reki had never seen a prettier smile and spent a better night and felt stronger sparks? Nothing much, actually.

“Nothing. We’re just friends who are competing against each other”

She seemed to scrutinize his expression for an intense thirty seconds. Her smile fell back to an indifferent frown, and she clicked her tongue “Ah, pity. He certainly is a catch”

He didn’t say or act anything in response.

“I guess that wraps this whole thing up. You’re free to leave, good luck for your third task or whatever”

Reki bit his inner cheek the entire time until he was out, allowing his face to relax so that the redness that came with thinking about his opponent spread without any prying eyes.

“Reki, are you done?”

Oh damn, time to hide that again.

Or not. Langa looked just as flushed. 

“Yeah, just finished”

“How was it?”

Reki pinched his nose, “Such a huge headache. I feel like drinking hot chocolate or something”

Langa’s eyes brightened as he chided “I have some instant hot chocolate. If you want, we can go fetch some”

Reki scratched his cheek “Oh...I mean, if that’s okay with you…”

Langa rubbed the length of his arm, equally as bashful “It is. I’m the one who’s offering”

Reki broke into a face splitting smile, “Then, what are we waiting for?” and held his hand and ran towards the Beauxbaton dormitories.

If there was a camera flash behind them and a pair of beady eyes looking proud, they didn’t need to now.

Reki thought it wasn’t the best time to ogle at Langa wearing skin tight clothing right before their third and final and most perilous task, but alas! Hormones can be very unprecedented.

The third test was in pitch darkness. They were standing on the ground, and next thing they knew, they were thrown into a pit with dangerous vines where no amount of incantations of “Lumos” worked.

“Magic doesn’t work here?” Reki whispered to himself, then gasped horrifically as the vines tried strangling his throat. 

This was getting tighter. And more uncomfortable. He was devoid of air and the constriction around his limbs made him feel woozy and in pain. 

He relaxed his fingers, and felt the vines relax around him too. He took in a sharp breath, his senses going overdrive. 

No, he had to do the opposite of that.

He had to relax.

He closed his eyes and went slack, remembering everything wonderful in his life, enough for him to lull him until the vines let him pass.

The moment he touched the ground again, he was hexed by Hiromi.

He spat out a curse back at him. If he wants a challenge, he will get a challenge. 

It didn’t take much time to throw Hiromi off his game, and suspend him into unconsciousness for the next half an hour.

His chest still stung and burnt and pricked, but clenching his shirt, he proceeded forward. 

He’d never been so exhausted before. Nor had he ever been so befuddled. Nor had he ever wanted to give up so desperately. It wasn’t just a test of physical strength, even his mental willpower. He was strained, but he couldn’t stop, because every second he was faced with another trial of courage. His brain, with its lubricated gears, was but in plentiful stress as he exerted it to recall all the spells and incantations and magical facts he’d learnt all those years. All the knowledge and vigor and bravery he’d accumulated, all spilling into this one painfully long session. His senses were overloaded like never before, yet he tried ignoring the minstrations as he strived towards the trophy.

The beautiful, priceless, enchanting, alluring cup, an azure colour as rich as the Goblet that started it all, stood in his sight. His limbs were loose, numb, barely moving voluntarily. His eyes were droopy and he internally craved a bed. But he was going to get the trophy. It was all his. 

He heard footsteps on damp grass, and he got piqued again. In the dim lights of the pathways, he saw his competitor.

Hasegawa Langa, you’re here again, huh?

Reki smirked. He was going to take that trophy right from his hands. 

He staggered his legs as fastly as he could, his vision growing increasingly tunnelled as the cup grew closer. And closer. The lights were nearly blinding him, and with such determination, he might as well pass a strong curse to any other booby trap that might hinder his way. That trophy, he was going to claim it with his bloodied hands and broken wrist no matter what.

The corner of his eye caught a flash of blue, right next to his nose. They were neck-to-neck, both limping and reaching out as far as they could. Reki spared a side glance towards Langa, and met his eyes. He gave a feral smile with a narrowed glance. Reki smirked back. He mentally gave a small prayer for his body to not focus on the pain and took the final plunge. He raced to the cup, not caring about anything or anyone.

This was his moment. The ‘it’ moment of his life. The moment that will validate years of underestimation and insecurities. He was going to snatch it for himself. No one but himself.

As soon as his fingertips felt the cool, chilling, glass, silver grooved cup margins. His body comprehended the end of the line; mind piloting that the race had finished, completed. The story was wrapped up and there was nothing beyond that. 

He didn’t have to struggle anymore.

And with that, all functions of his body went wholly shut. He smiled into the ground as he slithered down numbly from the stage holding the prize. 

This was fun.

Dangerous.

But fun.

He woke up after a week.

He didn’t know in the middle of the hype and thrill of the final task just how much of a toll 7 hours of constant physical and mental strain took on his body. However, he was more or less...alright. He was alive. He wasn’t in pain, but then again, he hadn’t moved a muscle yet. He was not looking forward to using his body for activities or any sort right then. But he felt parched. And hungry. He’d kill for some sushi. Or pork cutlets. 

“You...woke up”

Reki’s ears perked up at the voice. 

“Lan…” he coughed. Wow, his throat felt like sandpaper “Langa…”

“I was checking up on you. I should tell your friends that you’re awake. They’ve been worried sick, even though the doctor told them that your unconsciousness would be temporary”

Langa started to stand up from the stool, but Reki shot his hand to grab his arm. He winced, and mewled like an injured animal. 

Langa immediately caught his hand, almost in reflex, and gently placed it beside him, being careful of Reki’s comfort. Reki took deep breaths to ease the pain.

“Don’t get anyone in here yet. I need a few moments. Also I think I’ll pass out again”

His eyelids were already closing.

“Ok” he dragged the stool beside him and sat down again. He crossed his hands over his lap. 

“You look relatively better” Reki observed 

“I wasn’t really that horribly injured. But” he gestured to his leg “My ankle is broken. So that’ll take some time healing”

“I see…”

“Hey, Langa” Reki started “Who won?”

Langa smiled, stroking his forehead tenderly,

“You”

Reki’s brain came to a jarring halt. And he scrambled for the air that was just forced out of his lungs.

He’d won.

He. Had. Been. Victorious.

Gosh...this was unreal. Bizarre. Dreamlike. Unexpected. 

He’s just won the Triwizard Tournament Cup. One of the most prestigious honours to ever be bestowed upon. Everything he’d tirelessly strived for, with blood, sweat, tears and broken bones and tore ligaments, they all came down to this particular moment.

He whirled his head, where was his trophy?

“They’ve kept it in the Trophy Section, on the shelf bearing some of the most honourable awards. Your name in written in bright gold letters, it’s quite amazing to look at”

“Wow…” was all he managed to croak out, before flinching. His ribs hurt. He needed a nurse soon to give him a much needed dose of painkillers.

“Congratulations” Langa wished, a true smile on his face. Not as tender as how it had been in their more intimate moments, but it made Reki melt from the inside still.

“You did well!” Reki piped back.

He had a question invading his mind.

“Say Langa, you said you had no prior motivation to do this Tournament. Yet you looked pretty serious by the end. What changed?”

Langa took a few seconds formulating the answer in his head. He pursued his lips together, then licked them, and finally whispered

“I got an opponent worth competing with”

Reki turned bright red at the response, floundering syllables that were not forming words, because he had no idea on how to respond to that. He settled on a firm nod.

“Do you want me to bring you more hot chocolate later?” Langa asked, pointing towards the door.

“You can come here to bring me hot chocolate anytime” Reki answered, beaming and well-naturedly.

Langa came to serve hot chocolate daily for several days. And Reki enjoyed spending time with him as he recovered from his battle wounds. Langa was one of the most jovial companies he’d ever encountered. They talked about flying, about how Reki believed Divination was a bunch of bullcrap, about how Langa...

Then, all too soon for both of them, it was time for him to return back.

“The feathers in your hat look nice,” Reki said, as he twirled his fingers through the soft pieces sticking stylishly out of his hat.

“Thanks” Langa smiled, as he helped a junior mount his trunk onto the horses that brought them there in the first place. The teacher, with her frivolous fur jacket and clinking high heels hollered out for all the students to board their carriage before the clock struck noon.

“So, this is goodbye, huh?”

Reki grinned bittersweetly as Langa’s carriage stepped right next to him. He’d definitely miss Langa. Miss all the fuzzy feelings and sparks flying between them. Miss all those funny moments, all the dancing and joking he’d done with him. Miss the beautiful halo of blue hair and the never ending pools of bright blue. Miss the smooth skin of his hands and the soothing tone of his voice.

And, he’d most importantly miss the way he looked at him.

Langa nodded, giving the same longing grin, even though they hadn’t even parted ways.

“I’ll visit you during the holidays” he promised

“I’m taking you up on that. Don’t forget about me or anything” he joked, winking, but not feeling amused by it himself. 

Langa stepped forward, despite a broken ankle, and held his chin gingerly, looking straight into his eyes. 

Their faces were close, and Reki could feel the warmth radiating off him so wonderfully. Langa’s breath smelt of fresh mint. Reki’s heartbeat raced inside his ribcage, and he was very suddenly reminded of a rabbit- just how fast his heartbeat was, too. 

“I could never” he vowed, seriously, and before Reki could even properly comprehend what was happening, Langa firmly pressed their lips together.

The kiss was messy and sloppy and chaste and not the most ideal first kiss that can go down in history, but it was...nice. And warm. And it made him giddy. Really giddy, in fact, because he could still feel his lips tingling when he touched it with his fingertips, as the chariots ascended the sky and took the students in it back home.

Things never turned back to normal. Not quite. He never thought it could go back to how they were before, now with his newfound status of a TriWizarding Victor. He certainly gained popularity, both among students and teachers and the press. His parents threw a celebratory party in the most Muggle way possible, but Reki was thankful regardless. Miya brought a console back from Reki’s house and hadn’t left using it ever since.

“You’re going to strain your eyes” Koyomi complains, trying to snatch the beeping device from his hands.

“You” he started, in a very high pitched tone “should mind your own business”

“Your impersonation is awful”

“Nah, it’s your voice that is awful”

Well, at least this never changed. He smiled into his porridge.

The mostly normal rhythm of his day was disrupted when an extremely fluffy and huge owl gilded into the Dining Hall, attracting the attention of most students during breakfast. It landed straight onto Reki’s lap.

As the redhead fed the new guest some bread, he checked the envelope tied to its feet.

The Beauxbaton emblem waxed seal shone in the morning sunlight, and a handwriting as lovely as the name that carried it.

Reki’s smile increased tenfold as he dashed towards his study. 

This was going to be interesting.