Since their first meeting, there wasn't a day when Bright and Win had refrained from cursing each other.

Win believes everything started from the day Bright joined Draco and his minions, bullying people who stood against them. Win was one of them as well and saw the same fate eventually.

If it wasn't for Harry, he'd have been limping his way alone to the hospital wing. And that started his friendship with the Golden Trio -Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

As if it was fate (and people believed it to be), starting from the first year in Hogwarts, Bright and Win would top the exams- either Bright gets the first position and Win the second or vice versa. And this fact did nothing but added fuel to their hatred.

Win was a Gryffindor and Bright a Slytherin. Their undying enmity somehow deepened the age-old grudge against the two houses.

(A/N: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw are the four houses in Hogwarts. Every student has to go to the sorting ceremony at the beginning of their first year. The sorting is done based on their abilities and talents)

However, there had been a very very odd incident with Win, that had left him with a perplexed feeling for the Slytherin boy.

It was in his second year when one of the Hufflepuff girl dumped Win, leaving him heartbroken. He remembers him crying his heart out continuously asking what exactly went wrong. And before he could even process everything, someone was already there hugging him, whispering soothingly in his ears. When he pulled away from the warm embrace, he immediately flinched at the realization that the person was none other than Bright Vachirawit Chivaree.

Apart from bringing an uneasy feeling about Bright consoling him, it also brought him an unknown thought that whether the latter has somehow formed a soft corner for him in his heart - which was practically as possible as the law enforcement of legalizing adoption of dragons as pets.

(A/N: In the wizarding world, keeping dragons as pets is prohibited.)

It was on his second year as well when Bright challenged the whole Gryffindor Quidditch team (which was apparently lacking a Beater) for a friendly practice match against the Slytherin. Harry had pointed out Win to play as one of the Beater instead.

(A/N: Quidditch is a wizarding sport. Matches are played on a large oval pitch with three ring-shaped goals of different heights on each side, between two opposing teams of seven players each: three Chasers, two Beaters, the Keeper, and The Seeker. The Chasers and the Keeper respectively score with and defend the goals against the Quaffle; the two Beaters bat the Bludgers away from their teammates and towards their opponents; and the Seeker locates and catches the Golden Snitch, whose capture simultaneously wins the Seeker's team 150 points and ends the game. The team with the most points at the end wins.)

Win had played Quidditch at the Burrow, (Ron's house) many times with Fred and George. Both the twins in turns gave him a lesson on beating away the ferociously flash-flying balls, Bludgers. But still, this challenge filled him up with uncertainty about his talent.

He somehow agreed to this placement and listened patiently to Oliver Wood, their captain throwing strategies at his teammates, before glaring at Bright, the Slytherin Beater, who kept looking at him.

It didn't take time for the Gryffindor team to win, thanks to Harry's swift hands and the Firebolt model of the broomstick. Win did fairly well in beating away the Bludgers. However, he must admit that Bright was an excellent player, nonetheless.

After the match, Professor McGonagall was persuaded by Oliver Wood to take in Win as their new Beater, while throwing random game strategies at her.

Bright, oddly enough, stared at Win when Wood broke the news about McGonagall agreeing to this proposal of admitting Win as the new Beater in the team. Win beamed and hopped hugging Harry and Fred, grinning after hearing the news.

Today was their starting of the term for the fourth year and Win grinned, hopping his way while listening to Hermione's grumble about how she had been light reading the book of spells.

Win was happy today. Finally, he was back to his comfort place and between his comfort people.

"Win, weren't you telling us yesterday about the strange dreams you were having during the summers?" Hermione asked snapping her head towards Win.

"Oh, yeah", his stomach somersaulted. He didn't know why it acted that way.

"Let's talk about it in the Great Hall", Harry suggested walking inside the hallways through large oak doors.

The entrance was crowded by the large swarm of students struggling to enter the hall.

Win bumped against someone, stumbling back. It was Bright.

"I am sorry", Bright mumbled an apology and walked away without sparing him a glance.

Win widened his eyes after registering what exactly happened there.

BRIGHT VACHIRAWIT CHIVAREE APOLOGIZED TO HIM!

He turned to look at his friends and saw the same reaction plastered on their faces.

"So, what is it about?" Hermione asked once they were settled down inside the Great Hall.

"What's going on, Win?" Harry joined.

"Are you and Bright... couples already?" Ron asked gulping a bit.

"Couples, my ass. We are nothing", Win huffed.

"Well that's good", Hermione said after staring at Win for a good one minute.

Win turned his attention to the first-year students on the pedestal, murmuring nervously among them.

(A/N: In the book, Harry's fourth year had the goblet of fire, the Triwizard Tournament, and the Yule Ball. I am only keeping the Yule Ball for the sake of the plot :) )

"Now tell me about the dream you were talking about", Harry said scooting a bit closer, to keep the whole thing between them.

"Do you remember in our second year, Bright came to console me?" Win asked leaning towards Hermione and Ron.

They nodded, "Yeah, what about it?"

"Somehow, I have been getting the same dreams over and over again. I've been writing about it to you Hermione, do you remember?" She nodded," so I tried to read some books on dreams as you said. I tried to maneuver my dreams when it reaches that point. So the thing is, these days I dreamed- I dreamed about... Bright... kissing me" Win whispered the last words, blushing red.

All of them gasped.

"Can you not maneuver the dreams or twist them at any point?" Harry asked, reaching for his toast which appeared magically on the tables, still looking at Win.

"No."

"I knew it!" Hermione exclaimed opening a fat book.

"What?" Win asked, while Ron took a bite from his chicken drumsticks and listened to them intently.

"There is 90% certainty that he has been learning mind reading and dream weaving", Hermione said," perhaps he wants to let you know something".

"What can it be?" Harry looked at Win before turning to Hermione.

"I dunno, perhaps the fact that he likes you or something?" Ron answered.

"Brilliant, Ron! That's it. It can be that!" Hermione patted his back.

"Bullshit! That doesn't even make sense!" Win spat while his insides churned and blush rose.

What the hell!

"I don't know, Win, but what does kissing mean? It does have something to do with feelings, plus, didn't you see how he apologized to you this morning. Win, Bright never apologizes to anyone! What could it mean? You tell me..." Hermione asked, shrugging.

"But-" Win immediately let his gaze fell on the Slytherin table and his gaze got locked on Bright, who was currently smiling and eating his food.

He looked at him with an unreadable expression, while Win involuntarily furrowed his eyebrows and snapped back.

No way!

The Sorting Ceremony was done and Dumbledore stood up for his year starting a speech.

Win was, however, disturbed with the thoughts of Bright.

He was doing really well with the sole thoughts about the Slytherin boy being his enemy, but somehow all the things got messed up with Ron saying Bright might like him.

Bright! Likes him?!

All bullshit!

His thoughts were all about Bright- Bright this, Bright that albeit he wants to focus on the Headmaster's speech.

"... there will be Yule Ball this year, so make sure to have your dates before Christmas!..."

Harry nudged Win's shoulder asking if he was okay and that's the only line he heard before nodding and spacing out again.

The next morning, Win's eyelids dropped occasionally as he yawned his way to have a treacle tart on the Gryffindor table.

The owls sped inside the hall, carrying letters and dropping them in front of their respective owners, while the House heads roamed around the breakfast tables handing every student their schedules for the year.

"We have potions this morning with Slytherin and then Herbology with Hufflepuff..." Ron read his schedule, grimacing as he read further and groaned while Hermione balanced her potion book open against the milk tumbler and Harry continued watching Neville attempt in turning milk into wine (which successfully turned into lemonade instead).

Win stifled another yawn, before stretching a bit," Professor Snape early in the morning? We couldn't get any luckier", he said sarcastically.

"Say no more", Harry chuckled while Ron wiped away his fake tears.

"Professor Snape?! Oh come on, where were you three last night? Dumbledore clearly said Professor Pattranite will be taking it for this session," Hermione said with a 'you-three-are-pathetic!' look.

"Ha! Is it?" Harry said looking at Ron and Win.

"Yes, Snape had some things to do at the ministry", Neville entered the conversation.

(A/N: Here, ministry means the Ministry of Magic.)

"Oh, I see, thanks, Neville!" Win answered with a smile.

"Well, that's good luck", Harry winked at them and they chuckled nodding in agreement.

Potion's classroom was filled with spirally rising fumes when they entered. Few cauldrons were placed, one on each table.

Hermoine and Win immediately mumbled, "Amortentia" as they sat on the first bench.

Win saw Bright entered through the doors, smiling and nodding at something Draco was telling him.

When Bright and his friends sat down on the other side, their eyes met. He also saw Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle eyeing them with hatred. However, Bright's gaze was, as usual, blank.

A not-so-tall lady in pink robes entered the classroom with three fat volumes of advanced potion-making. She sharply turned to face the students just like Snape would do. Except, she turned to them with a smile.

"Good morning class, I am your Potion teacher for this year. My name is Love Pattranite", she smiled sweetly at the students, and Win saw his classmates already swooning over their teacher.

"Okay, so now, I hope you can see the cauldrons in front of you?" Everyone nodded, "Who can say what the thing inside it is?"

Win raised his hand and saw Bright's attention on him through his peripheral vision.

"You are...", She checked her register," Mr. Metawin?" Win nodded," so, Mr. Metawin, do know what is in the cauldron?"

"It Amortentia, Professor. Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence", Win answered confidently.

"Very good! 10 points to Gryffindor. Sit down, please", she gestured him to sit. "Can anybody else tell me about Amortentia's characteristics?"

Win and Hermoine looked at each other and Win nodded, mumbling, "you go".

Hermoine raised her hand, "It has a distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from it in characteristic spirals."

"Miss Granger, is it?" Professor asked.

"Yes, Professor."

"Very well, another 10 points for your house", she smiled gesturing for her to sit down.

Hermoine beamed at Win before turning towards the Professor.

"So Amortentia is the powerful love potion in existence. It causes a powerful infatuation or obsession from the drinker. And most importantly it smells differently to different people, reminding them what exactly they find the most attractive, even if the person did not acknowledge or was unaware of their fondness for the object of their affection themselves." She said with a nod.

Bright raised his hand making everyone turn to him.

"Yes, Mr..."

"Chivaree".

"Yes, Mr. Chivaree?"

"I have a question, does this potion really creates", he scratched his nape," love?"

Win's heart beats loudly at that word.

"Good question, Mr. Chivaree. Now...", She looked around stopping at Win, "How about, Mr. Metawin explaining this to Mr. Chivaree?"

Win's stomach somersaulted," Alright, Professor", he turned to face Bright, looking in his brown eyes.

"It, it is dangerous to underestimate, dangerous to underestimate it, as it causes a powerful infatuation, a real powerful infatuation."

He felt like was embarrassing himself by shuttering this much, "De-Despite its power, Amortentia did not create actual love; as it was impossible to manufacture or imitate lo-love. The person under its effect, the effect of the potion would only hold an obsession for the person who administered it".

Bright nodded before turning to Professor and sitting down and Win too, followed the suit.

Shit. He messed it up. Why was he shuttering suddenly?

"Very well, Mr. Metawin. Now, for today's class, we'll be doing a brief study on this potion. I have got the names of persons who will form a group and stand in front of a cauldron and note down the list of things you can smell. Alright?"

A string of "yes, professor" floated in the air, and Professor Pattranite started calling out the pairs.

Win knew he was doomed when Professor paired him up with none other than Bright.

Wow! Just wow!

He went to sit beside Bright. He was immediately welcomed by the smell from the cauldron. He pulled out his notebook as others settled in front of their respective cauldrons.

"So, now, you will write down the list of aromas you can smell and pass it to your partner, and then you can submit your list to me. Now on with it", she clapped her hands in the air.

Win nosetrills were invaded with a heavy musk scent.

"I can't smell a single thing!" Bright snarled.

"That's impossible!" Win replied,"it is 100% proven that you get to smell at least something".

"Well, yes, all I smell is your vanilla bodywash bottle emptied on you", Bright rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah, what about you? You must have emptied a musky scent bottle on you, no?" Win scoffed.

"Bullshit, I am not an attention seeker", Bright muttered, crossing his arms on his chest.

"Big words", Win scoffed mumbling the words in a rush.

"I heard you", Bright said.

"I wanted to let you hear that as well",Win rolled his eyes again.

What a dragon-poop!

They stayed in silence. Mentally cursing each other.

Win inhaled sharply, letting the smell fill his nose, once again. He started scribbling down, watching Bright do the same in his peripheral vision.

It somehow reminded him of the smell of durian, Pad Khra pao, the smell of rains and pizzas. But his senses were largely invaded by Bright's musk cologne, so he added it with his weirdest handwriting.

After writing them down, he slides the sheet of paper towards Bright.

Then it occurred to him. He didn't get to shower today because he was sleepy and Hermoine was panicking over her bookcover which was destroyed by her pet cat.

So that vanilla scent was from... Amortentia?!

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Could it possibly mean...?

Sensing a movement, Bright looked up at Win, and his eyes gets locked again.

Win cleared his throat to break the silence.

"Here".

Bright still looked at Win's face, watching it grow red at the intensity of his gaze. He hummed, passing him his sheet.

Both of them read the sheets in silence.

Bright's list included the smell of wood on the guitar, cat furs, fresh-cut grass, toothpaste, soaps, rain, and vanilla (!!!!)

He didn't get why he added so many exclamation marks with Vanilla.

"Um, Bright, why did you add so many exclamations here?" Win asked hesitantly.

"Isn't it obvious? My whole nose of filled by that obnoxiously sweet smell", he answered with a deadpan face, and faked a gag. Idiot.

"As if your cologne is any better?" Win rolled his eyes again.

Bright suddenly tensed up, his eyes burning holes in the cauldron. He swalloed thickly and then looked at Win for a few seconds and then turning his gaze back to the cauldron.

It was the end of the lesson when Win started packing his bag. Bright leaned closer to him, "can I ask you something?"

"Ah, yeah sure", Win faced him.

"Do you believe in Amortentia?" He asked, blushing subtly.

"Ah - I... Yes, I guess. We just experimented with it, didn't we? Every word matched with the book, except the fact about having it, I don't know... It'd probably be interesting, wouldn't it?" Win blabbered, "Why, you don't believe in it?" He asked raising his eyebrow at him.

"Probably, not quite". Bright answered looking at the fuming cauldron.

This Bright was different from the one Win used to know back in his second and first year. Thought they argued just now with each other, this Bright relatively easy to talk with.

"So you like durians?" Bright asked, stifling a smile. A smile, a genuine smile!

"Don't you laugh at me!" Win said folding his hands on his chest.

Bright chuckled," come on, I was just asking".

Nope, totally different.

"And what about you, cat slave?"

"Well", he shrugged looking at the door," cats smell better than durians, in all honesty."

Win rolled his eyes.

They walked out together while teasing each other and laughing their hearts out.

_____________