❝ e t h e r e a l ❞

“You're scaring the students.” Ahreum was having a strict discussion with some Gryffindor boys. The Yule Ball is just around the corner and while she has secured herself a date for the said ball, some are still struggling and unable to get themselves a date which has forced them to be more aggressive towards securing their dates. Ahreum could sense the frustration but she too was frustrated with how they were acting. “All I am saying is that trying to take some Ilvermorny girls to the Prefect's bathroom to show them the mermaid is not good at all! Myrtle told me that this wasn't the first time you did this!” 

The boys tried to reason with her and showed no remorse for their actions. The prefect was pissed and had taken her wand out, ready to teach them a lesson, knowing taking house points from them won't put an end to their games. “Speak more horse shit and I will turn you three into ferrets like Malfoy experienced.” It was a tale that was told around the campus for ages. It was funny but it was against the rules. She'll go against the rules to protect the students. She won't let some fourth-year Gryffindor boys damage Hogwarts' image. 

Just then, Chai's voice makes her lower her wand. She didn't bother to look at the other prefect, she simply took a step back and listened to his approaching footsteps. “Chai, do something about these buffoons before I decide to turn them into ferrets and let them loose in the Forbidden Forest for who knows how long.” She takes a deep breath as she turns to face the male prefect, placing a hand over his shoulder. “I know you're the only person I can trust to deal with those idiots.”

@wyxahreum

It was a courtesy that Jihan did not extend to everyone. He wished his students well (or at least the vast majority), but he simply did not have the time to individually explore their talents. But with Bae Ahreum, it was different. She showcased a potential that promised great things, yet his student just seemed to remain on the cusp of it. It was almost there, just never fully within her grasp. It irked Jihan to no end, as he knew that her distractions played a fundamental role in this, and so he decided to take the matter into his own hands.

His attention shifted as the loud, pained groan of the hefty wooden door opened. From where he had been thrumming his fingertips against a desk, he turned and straightened. This was not because Ahreum was tardy, he was just incredibly impatient. It was a fault he needed to correct, as often the students he taught would threaten his capacity for tolerance.

“Miss Bae,” He greeted. Her name echoed, for the room was relatively sparse bar the multitude of desks and the necessary apparatus that would coincide with his lessons. Jihan took a few steps forward, proceeding to smooth out his expression. It would become twisted in thought, and he has been told that it could be intimidating to those that do not know him. This was yet another mannerism that he needed to correct. “I hope I’m not keeping you from anything, I am aware of how busy things can be, especially now.” The Yule Ball, he imagined, would create yet another load of responsibilities for Ahreum to shoulder. “But before we start, I would just like to ask you a question–why do you think I have asked you to come and see me today?”

The triwizard competition brought two more sets of people for Bae Ahreum to be polite to. Especially the professors who are escorting the students for a safe visit to Hogwarts. As much as Ahreum would have preferred to do less prefect work and spend more time on her desk, to study, it was hard to ignore the responsibilities sitting on her shoulders. Professor Jihan gave a special lecture about the Defence against the Dark Arts and Ahreum, being Ahreum, of course, had attended the said lecture. Swish and flick of her wand as she chants the spell with ease. While everyone else were having troubles with the advancement of his teaching, she was at ease with it but she didn't show off nor tried harder. Why? Because she has no reason to. If she were to push herself to try harder than she already does, people would avoid her more than they do already. Ahreum refused to run despite being late, wanting to follow the rules properly till she graduates. 

Professor Choi had requested her to come to his office that afternoon after her classes were done, but along the way, she had to deal with some Slytherin students. Took some house points from them and she also had to help some wandering Mahoutokoro students who needed directions to the great hall. Finally arriving at his office, Ahreum pushes the door open. Breaking the silence and quickly shutting the door behind her. 

“Professor Choi.” She dips her head into a bow, a common curtsy she uses, to show off her poise and manners. “Not at all, sir. If anything, I'm the one who should apologize. I should have been here earlier but duty called me along the way. I apologize.” The Ravenclaw Prefect quietly contemplated on his question. She didn't know why but she did assume he might be in need of some assistant or a list of any schedule changes for the event. 

“I must admit, sir. I am honestly clueless.” She finally admits, still, a polite smile rests on her lips. “Are you in need of an assistant or the schedule for the events? I've brought the list with me if that's what you need.” Showing the 'book' that she had been keeping with her. It's not a book, but her notes. Guarded with heavy charms to keep anyone from stealing her notes as most Ravenclaws are after each other. “If not, you could tell me. I'll try to carry out the duty as fast and as carefully as possible.”

“Oh, no. Please, no. Madam Pomfrey strictly told us not to use spells to try and 'fix' students up. We've had a ..couple.. of incidents already actually.” Who knows what could go wrong, right? It would be an utter mess. It would be tragic if something went wrong while an Ilvermorny student was trying to fix her up. Daily Prophet's headline would be manipulated by the Ministry of Magic again and the story would be misleading. They might report that he tried to kill her even. Ugh. “I appreciate the gesture though, truthfully,” Ahreum says. “You don't happen to see some students running down the hallway, do you?” She still needs to find the culprits to her injury and report them to the head of their houses. Terrible little wizards and witches they are. 

“Are you sure? There's a feast at the Great Hall. You might be missing out on meeting new people.” She didn't want to inquire about whether or not he's lost. Even a regular student in Hogwarts has a tendency to get lost. “We should get going. The staircases here move quite a lot when we're not looking.” Taking out her wand, she quickly swishes it to put back the spilled contents of the box back inside. “Avifors!” Pointing her wand at the box, she watches the box turn into a bird. “Head to the storage room.” Ahreum instructs it, breaking out of cold sweat from the pain she was feeling. She watches it fly, leaving the pair of students. 

“I'm sorry, but if I remember correctly.. please do correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't your name.. Chuanchen?” She escorted him and his classmates when they first arrived in Hogwarts. It was her duty as a prefect.

     He wanted to scream. Yell at her, rave at her but they were in a public space and he didn’t want to scare any little kids who happened to unfortunattely walk by the scene that was unraveling. “I didn’t have time to say goodbye - I thought it was going to be a quick trip to check up on my family and be back soon enough that I wouldn’t have to say goodbye,” Minsoon starts, trying to keep his head level.

“My grandfather is sick and dying, and my family needed extra hands on the farm so I agreed - it was stupid not to say anything at that point, I’ll give you that, but it’s not because I didn’t bloody care about you. Don’t you dare say I don’t care. I was so busy taking care of other things that it never seemed like a good time to write you back,” he stated, huffing so his breath billowed in white clouds as it hit the cool winter air. “So there. I’m sorry.”

“Lie to my face again.” She boldly states out loud. She always checked their Kakao chatbox and her messages as well. He reads her messages but never bothered to reply. “You saw my messages. You read each and every one of them. Unless my phone was broken.” Ahreum was so stressed out after he left that when her anxiety ate her confidence in front of the camera, there was nothing but panic. 

“I would have accepted any form of farewell then. You made me sick with worry. You made me listen to people blaming me for you leaving the company. Guilt and worry ate me bit by bit every day.” Even when the news shocked her, she just fell silent for a second. She would have apologized and try to seek understanding but she had gotten selfish as people took her feelings for granted, thinking she could care less for things. 

“I want to say I understand. But is it so hard to text me.. what? six words? 'I'm sorry, I really had to go.'” Ahreum kept her head down this time, wiping any threatening tears from spilling. “I blamed myself for so long. It's not like an apology would fix this.” There were times where it could have worked but the damage was too big to be fixed. “I hope your grandfather is well. I won't bother you anymore. I know the truth now but nothing changes.”

They were friends. What was the point of all this after all? She shook her head and wrapped her scarf properly, getting ready to leave him behind. “You left me.” She said. “No goodbye, no explanation and no reply to every message I've ever sent.” Lowering her head as she continued to speak. “A simple goodbye could've saved me from this heartache. People blamed me when you left. Said it was all my fault and I believe them. How can I not when you never gave me any explanation or acceptable reason.” Shrugging her shoulders as the bitter cold brushes against her skin. Her cheeks red from the cold weather and her eyes watery from this stupid argument. 

“What lies do you want to feed me, Minsoon? You broke your phone? You didn't mean to ignore me? Kakao was having issues. Please make it believable at least. Like how you made me believe you actually cared for me.”

“That’s what I like about you.“ He has to crane his neck to look down at her, her body small and slight, soft as pliant as she sidles against him. Out of all the women he’s dated, Ahreum is the most demanding. A bit obtrusive and highly vocal in her wants and needs–and that’s made it simple for Cheolsu to engage where usually he’d have to stop and study. It’s this simplicity that eases his straight spine to curl and he brings their faces close. “If you want a kiss, little duck, try again and ask properly.”

It’s a game. He’s teasing her. While he’s usually willing to acquiesce when she shoves and pushes and tries to needle affection from him–he’s in the frame of mind where he wants to toy with her. And like any of his good moods there’s a thrum of something sharp under his intentions, and this time it’s a need for her to beg ‘please’ for anything she wants from him.

“No.” He tightens his grip on her hand. “No ducks.” Ahreum can barely keep herself alive. And at the salacious offer of gifting herself Cheolsu regards her again, eyes crinkling at the corners in a smile. “That doesn’t matter.” He presses his mouth to her ear, lips cold as he hushes quietly, “I’d ruin you. They wouldn’t be able to take you back.”

“You like me. You like everything.” She tells him. He never said he didn’t like anything about her. Ahreum extends her arm out and embraces herself. Then he comes close, too close that her heart skips a beat with just his scent invading her nostrils. Making her knees become like a jelly. She could melt into a puddle right now. “You’re such a big bad wolf.” Ahreum pouts at him. “Why do you make it so hard for me? I just want a kiss from you.. please?” Tipping on her toes and puckering her lips at him. She should have worn her heels, but the streets were slippery. She didn’t want Cheolsu to bring her to the hospital because she’s such a clumsy‘little duck’. “Please?” She asks again.

Whining as she stood so close to him so everyone would know they were together. A couple? Maybe. Not official again yet though. For some reason, she was scared to ask him for a label. He might think she’s rushing everything between them. She likes the comfortable and easygoing relationship they have. As long as he knows she likes him more than just a friend, then it’s more than enough.

“But ducks are cute.” Lips pouted like a duck’s beak. They continue walking to not cause human traffic on the street. Her eyes wandering over the stalls, wondering what would be good to purchase but then again Cheolsu was darn distracting in every good way possible. Then he tells her something that makes her cheeks burn. The rise in her temperature was enough to make her sweat in the cold weather.

When Ahreum was shy and embarrassed, which was rare due to her profession, she’d end up having a fit of hiccups till she was red as a cherry. She’s frozen in place, a few seconds passed them by and her silence was broken with a hiccup. Covering her mouth with her free hand, she tries to stop herself from hiccuping. Meeting Cheolsu’s eyes as she looks over to him. She turns back to the stalls, spotting one that serves mulled wine.

“Oppa! hic- Wi- hic- ne!”

FILE 002; BAE AHREUM | TASK TWO.

Are they even interested in the Yule Ball? Do they have a partner in mind to ask, or perhaps already invited somebody?

“Interested. In a way. Studying traditions about it is fascinating. I’ve been asked. None seems worthy though. Going alone is better than having a pain in the ass for a partner, don’t you think?”

Is your muse quick to step forward to volunteer to dance? Can they dance well or do they have two left feet? Or are they remained seated, watching everyone from afar?

Dancing is something that Ahreum is used to. Her mother was an avid fan of dancing. She’s a natural dancer and the talent was passed down to her daughter, Ahreum. She’d be the one to watch, but would definitely dance if asked. After all, she’s still just a student.

Are butterflies fluttering in their stomach well in advance for the big night or will their confidence guide them?

“I’d say I’m half excited and half not. It might be The Yule Ball, but as a prefect, I still have a job to do that night.”

“Geez. Calm down. What are you biting my head off for?“ Here he’d turned around to help her (a decision he’s quickly regretting with how she’s snapping at him) and she’s immediately throwing her prefect status in his face. Like he can forget with how often she flaunts it. “I came back to help but if you’re just gonna yell at me…”

It’s usually easy for him to like people–but Little Miss Perfect Prefect here made that impossible half the time.

“I don’t want your bloody notes. Jieun’s got better handwriting anyway.” Now he’s needling her a bit. Still–it’s true. Jieun is equally smart (he might be biased) and infinitely more pleasant to be around. “I’m not a prick. I’ll help you for free. But might be easier if we ride my broom.”

“I'm in pain, Lee! Is that so hard to understand?!” She was teary. Annoyed and the pain was becoming unbearable for her. It was bad, that's something she can tell anyone if they asked. Clutching on her left rib cage and she's in so much pain, she just wants to curl up on the floor and cry, but that's not how she is. She has too much of a pride in herself to have anyone see her fail so miserably in life, like right now. 

“I'm not yelling because I want to- I'm in so much pain I wouldn't yell if it was bearable.” Finally, she was crying. Stressed and in complete utter distress, Ahreum throws a hand over her eyes. Covering them as she cries her heart out. One could easily mistake it that Insu bullied the Ravenclaw Prefect. On normal days, she'd suck it up and be on her way, because she's got a job to do. 

“As much as I want to hear you praise your little girlfriend, I've got to get my ass to the hospital wing if you won't help.” She doesn't even see the Slytherin girl as a rival. Ahreum is confident she'd stay on top of the class and graduate with the highest marks. Wiping her tears away, she sits up in the most uncomfortable position and forces her way to get up and climb the stairs. 

“Just run along if you want. Who wants to help a bloody ravenclaw prefect anyway?” biting down on her lip as she winces in pain, but she tries to steady herself, breathing heavily as she does.

In-su’s part of the tangled mess of seventh years zipping down the halls, scarves and limbs tangling as they knock into each other, laughter radiant and sparkling with mirth. Word had gone around that a Mahoutokoro student was about to duel a Ravenclaw by the viaduct. Nobody wanted to miss the chance to see foreign magic.

One of the Hufflepuffs knocks into–ah, shit. Ravenclaw prefect Bae Ahreum. In-su keeps up with the group until he notices the guy who’d knocked her down is escaping the scene. So In-su slows. Stops. Then with a huff of breath he turns back to help her up.

“Language, Bae.“ He hooks his fingers into the crook of her elbow and eases her up. “Not very prefectly of you.”

And, really–he’d much rather be watching a duel but from the way she’s wincing it looks like she’d gotten pretty roughed up. “That’s three floors thataway. Should I just–” He rolls his shoulders. “–I dunno. Princess carry you? Or maybe piggyback.”

The prefect immediately glares at the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. She was never fond of guys like him. Him and his group was always rowdy. “Suck it, Lee. I can say fuck and you can't take house points from me.” Ahreum was always the perfect one to the point that people were intimidated of her. Untouchable due to her status as a prefect, a pureblood and of course, Ravenclaw's pride. Her pride was wounded for looking like a damsel in distress and she hated it. She didn't believe in Prince Charming or that knight in shining armor. 

“It doesn't and it won't change a thing, Lee. I’m still a prefect whether you like it or not.” Forcing herself to sit up but her left rib cage shoots a pain that causes her to curl up on the floor, breathing heavily and her eyes water up from the pain. 

“J-Just take me there, please.” It's rare to hear Ahreum ask for help. Sure she's polite but she's a strong independent woman, she'd say proudly, but at this moment, she needs help. “I-I'll lend you my notes if you help me.” She didn't want to be in debt to him and if he was smart enough, he'd take up her offer. Ahreum meticulously takes notes and it was almost like a cheat sheet for others. “I'm gonna murder those students who did this to me-”