double, double, toil and trouble

Chapter 26

Unfortunately, it seems as though their fun will be cut short as in the next moment a professor leaves the staff table at the front of the hall, their wand in hand as if to spell away such trouble. However, before they can, in the blink of an eye, another goblet is thrown into the air, the worms flying towards the professor.

As the slimy creatures attach themselves to the teacher's robes, Donghyuck's friends burst out laughing, various volumes and vigour, but each have a smile on their face. That's what Donghyuck wanted.

Another professor seems to spell the worms away moments later, but as Donghyuck surveys his friends' expressions, he's pleased to note that they all look a little more alive.

"What can I say..." Donghyuck chuckles, his head held high as he turns back to his friends with a grin, "I live to please the people."

"You may have just lost some of your people", Jeno points out, his eyes going past Donghyuck and landing on the students sprawled out on the floor- their robes a mess and their nerves rattled.

"They'll come around", Donghyuck muses, reaching for his own goblet and taking a swing.

Once the professors have control over the hall again, they encourage the students to wrap up their meal and head out for their first lesson of the day, once again stressing for punctuality and order.

As students begin reluctantly filtering out, Jeno leans into the middle of the table, everyone else doing the same.

"Does tonight after dinner work for everyone?" He asks to which Renjun grumbles about them having another late night.

"The Salamander and Firedrake are in the Room of Requirement at the minute?" Mark asks to which Jisung nods.

"Okay, then tonight we move them to the shed", Jaemin summarises their plan, everyone nodding in agreement, "Yukhei, that won't interfere with your Quidditch training, right?"

"Our training is at lunch today", He confirms. However, once he does, he leans into Jaemin, his voice low. No one pays much attention to them, but Jeno watches on, curious. Before long, though, Yukhei is straightening up and Jaemin gives him a quick nod in response to whatever was asked.

"Well, we should probably get going", The Veela announces, "After all, potions is all the way in the dungeons."

"We'll see you guys at dinner", Jisung announces with a smile, gathering his things up; however, before he leaves, he hovers for a moment, staring down at Chenle, who is still seated, "Uh... aren't you coming?"

"Go be a good student", Donghyuck advises, kicking his friend under the table, to which he just receives a glare back.

"We have herbology, so I can show you the sheds we'll be going to later", The little Hufflepuff chimes in, tacking on a quick 'but only if you want to'.

His sincerity nullifies Chenle's usual venomous comeback as he can't find it in himself to bite back. Instead, he just nods at Jisung before he rises from his seat, the Hufflepuff wearing a smile as he begins telling Chenle about the greenhouses and surrounding area.

Donghyuck watches them go with a smile, a comforting feeling settling in his stomach that Chenle won't be alone after their graduation this year.

~~~

"Settle down, settle down, find your seats quickly, please!" Professor Suh orders, waving his arms about to welcome his students as they trickle in through the doors, "Please leave your homework on my desk, thank you, and then we can get started."

Donghyuck tugs Jaemin towards the front of the class. Some bottled ingredients were already waiting for them, and Mark and Yukhei followed suit.

Mark felt fairly confident with potions, but it felt nice to have the extra reassurance of having Donghyuck in arms reach.