"josh, i'm so sorry." hayley pleaded for what seemed like the twentieth time.

"it's ok... it's not like it's a secret or anything, i just..."

"i'm sorry."

"it's fine hayley" he smiled at her. "really, i just wish i could've told him myself. don't worry about it." he reassured her.

hayley still looked anxious as the plates before them were filled with sandwiches and cheese pudding.

as hard as he tried, josh couldn't avoid the thought that kept hovering over his head.

'what if he doesn't want to be my friend anymore?'

during his time living in the wizarding world, josh had encountered many witches and wizards who thought being gay was worse than being a blood traitor.

'but tyler isn't like that. he's just not. he sure as hell won't care if i like guys or girls. he's sweet, funny and caring and wow brendon's right i really have a major crush on h-'

"are you ok? you haven't eaten anything." hayley asked, nudging his shoulder.

"yeah i'm fine, just thinking." josh replied as he started filling up his plate.

"because your hair looks a bit purple and i know that means you're worried." she started.

"it's nothing. um, i'm just thinking about homework." he lied through his teeth. hayley threw him a considerate smile and flung her attention back to the food.

...

"man, i still think we shouldn't do this." brendon spoke as he followed pete through the dungeons until they were back in the great hall.

"come on, we talked about this. it's just one drop, it's almost harmless. besides, i just wanna help josh make his move. and you know he won't do it until tyler lets his guard down."

"we don't even know if he's interested in guys..." brendon replied cautiously.

"and we probably never will if we don't do this."

the taller boy sighed and gave him a single nod.

"ok, let's just do it. but if josh finds out i'm blaming it all on you."

"he's not gonna find out. plus, i've done some research. one single drop will probably just make josh look pretty to tyler."

"i have a feeling that this isn't true. that shit's strong, pete." said brendon uncertainly.

"you're not even in the potion's class. i am. just... shut up and take the bottle."

brendon rolled his eyes and took the small flask, hiding it on his sleeve. both of them walked to the table, taking a seat as close to tyler as possible.

pete threw a few glances at tyler occasionally while they ate.

a few minutes later the plates finally vanished, being replaced with desert. brendon looked sideways at tyler, who was scooping some ice cream into a bowl while talking to slytherin's new keeper, kevin bletchley.

he stood up swiftly, carrying his bowl to where tyler was sat.

"hey can i get some of that ice cream?" he asked, cringing internally at how polite he sounded. tyler raised his eyebrows.

"uh yeah, help yourself." he slid to the side, continuing his conversation with the boy sitting in front of him.

brendon intentionally let his spoon fall on the bench and bent forward to get it, taking benefit to screw the cap off the tiny bottle.

he quickly dipped one single drop of the potion onto tyler's bowl.

the liquid released a bit of steam as soon as it touched the cold surface, and then it dissolved into the ice cream.

the chatter between tyler and bletchley stopped.

"wow, do you smell that?" asked the blonde boy.

"yeah, it's like someone's baking a pumpkin pie..." tyler looked around, searching for the aroma.

"no, that's not it. i smell... pine trees."

"that would be my cologne, thank you very much." brendon winked at him and bletchley blushed slightly.

"is this pumpkin ice cream?" tyler sniffed his bowl.

"i don't know, but it smells delicious." the taller boy shoved a spoonful into his mouth. "see ya tyler."

brendon casually returned to his seat beside pete, where they shared a very cautious high-five.

|-/

hello yes this chapter is shit but i wanted to update :(

i promise the next one is coming soon!

here's josh's little color chart as promised:

hope you enjoyed this chapter :) bye