CHAPTER TWO

The one thing Seo Chang truly cared about—the one thing that sparked genuine interest and enthusiasm—was Charms. She couldn't explain why exactly. It wasn't as if she had a deep, logical reason for her fascination. Perhaps it was the delicate balance of precision and creativity the subject demanded, or maybe it was simply the way the magic felt alive in her hands. Whatever the reason, Charms captivated her in a way nothing else ever had.

It was also the only time anyone who knew Seo got a glimpse of a different side of her. Normally detached, unbothered, and even a little indifferent, she seemed to transform when she was immersed in her work. Her focus sharpened, her usual monotone demeanour softened, and a quiet excitement lit up her expression.

To her classmates, it was a rare and almost startling sight—the perpetually unenthused Seo Chang, genuinely invested and even a little animated. It wasn't that she craved recognition or praise; she didn't care about being the best or impressing anyone. Charms were something she did for herself, a small but meaningful corner of her life that brought her a sense of fulfilment in an otherwise orderly and routine existence.

When it came to the subject, Seo Chang's usual bored and detached expression would melt away, replaced by a rare and genuine smile. Her typically reserved demeanour seemed to lighten, and for once, she appeared approachable—even enthusiastic. It was surprising to anyone who witnessed it, given how rare it was to see Seo engage with anything.

It was also the only topic that could draw her into a conversation. If someone asked her about spells, techniques, or theories related to the subject, she would actually respond—sometimes even at length. Her voice carried a subtle energy, and her usually monotone delivery gained a hint of warmth.

However, if the conversation veered away from Charms, the momentary transformation would vanish. Seo would retreat back into her apathetic shell, her interest fading as quickly as it had appeared. Anything unrelated to Charms simply wasn't worth her time or attention, and she had no problem making that clear.

Over the course of four years, Seo Chang's aptitude for Charms had grown to an impressive level, her skill nearing that of N.E.W.T.-level students despite not yet being eligible for the advanced class. Her natural talent, combined with her genuine passion for the subject, set her apart from her peers. It wasn't just about raw ability—Seo had a deep understanding of the intricacies of Charms that even some older students struggled to grasp.

Yet, despite receiving recommendations from her professors to advance early, Seo had declined the opportunity. Her reasoning was straightforward: she wanted to progress at the proper pace. To Seo, it wasn't about rushing to prove herself or standing out. She valued the process of learning and believed that following the curriculum as intended would allow her to refine her skills more thoroughly.

While others might have seen this as a missed opportunity, Seo saw it as a matter of principle. She wasn't interested in skipping steps or seeking recognition. For her, the journey of mastering Charms was just as important as the mastery itself. And so, she chose to wait, content with honing her expertise in her own meticulous and methodical way.

It was the sole focus of Seo Chang's attention, the one thing that truly held her interest. She poured herself into the subject, oblivious to much else happening around her. What Seo failed to realize, however, was that she had unintentionally captured the attention of someone she least wanted it from—a certain Weasley.

The very thought of him made her groan internally. He was the one person Seo had vowed to avoid at all costs. To her, he was the epitome of everything she disliked: loud, unpredictable, and endlessly distracting. He seemed to thrive in the kind of chaos she worked so hard to avoid, a walking embodiment of the nuisance she detested.

Seo had decided long ago that crossing paths with him would do nothing but disrupt her orderly life. She had no interest in his charm, his antics, or the attention he seemed to attract from others. In her eyes, he was nothing but a hindrance, someone who would inevitably bring unnecessary complications into her world.

And yet, while she busied herself with perfecting her wandwork and refining her spells, Seo remained blissfully unaware that this very Weasley had taken notice of her—and, much to her dismay, she would soon find that avoiding him wasn't going to be as easy as she had hoped.

The question that plagued Seo Chang's mind at that moment was both simple and exasperated: What in Merlin's name have I done to deserve this?

She found herself pressed up against the cold stone wall of a quiet corridor, trapped by the towering presence of Louis Weasley. His palm rested against the wall just beside her head, effectively blocking her escape, and he wore an infuriating grin that screamed mischief. It was the kind of expression that made her want to vanish on the spot—or, better yet, hex him into silence.

For a brief moment, she entertained the thought of using magic to get herself out of the situation. A well-placed jinx or even a simple Disarming Charm would suffice. But almost immediately, she dismissed the idea. Seo wouldn't dream of wasting something she genuinely loved—magic—on someone she found so thoroughly inconvenient.

There were also more practical reasons. First, Seo was shrewd enough to know better than to let magic become her defence in such a trivial matter. Second, she was painfully aware of the fallout that would follow if she so much as lifted her wand against him. Louis Weasley, the ever-so-perfect, idolized golden boy, was practically untouchable in the eyes of the school. Any spell cast on him—no matter how justified—would surely bring a world of unnecessary drama, something Seo actively avoided at all costs.

So instead, she glared up at him, her expression flat but with a spark of irritation in her eyes. "What exactly do you think you're doing, Weasel?" she asked coolly, her voice betraying only a hint of the frustration she felt.

Louis tilted his head slightly, his grin widening as if her annoyance only encouraged him further. "Oh, nothing much," he said, his tone as casual as if they were discussing the weather. "Just enjoying the company."

Seo clenched her jaw, silently counting to ten. It was going to take every ounce of self-control not to break her own rules about Charms—and Louis Weasley.

"Again, what do you want, Weasel?" Seo sighed, her voice dripping with disinterest. She crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. In truth, she'd do just about anything to escape whatever nonsense he had planned, but she quickly dismissed the idea. Running off would only give him an excuse to prolong this ridiculous encounter, and she had no intention of letting that happen.

Louis raised an eyebrow, visibly caught off guard by her complete lack of reaction. Stepping back slightly, he studied her, intrigued. This was unexpected—this always was unexpected when it came to Seo Chang. Louis hadn't approached her on a whim; he'd been curious about her for some time now.

Though Seo didn't seem to recall their past interactions, Louis remembered them vividly. They'd crossed paths more than once, and each time, something about her stood out to him. She didn't react to him like everyone else did. Most girls—no, most people—seemed drawn to him instantly, thanks to the Veela blood that coursed through his veins. Even diluted down to just one-eighth, it gave him a natural allure, a power of influence he often wielded without even meaning to.

But Seo Chang was... different. She wasn't affected by his presence, his charm, or even the faint pull of his Veela influence. While his sisters had always managed their inherited abilities without issue, Louis had struggled with it. His charm often worked too strongly, and it frustrated him that he had no control over it. Yet, here was someone immune to it, someone who looked at him with the same level of indifference she might reserve for a blank wall.

"You're different from the others, Seo Chang," he said slowly, his piercing blue eyes scanning her face as though searching for an answer. "And I can't help but want to figure out why."

Seo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Different how?" she asked, though her tone made it clear she didn't actually care for his answer.

Louis smirked, folding his arms casually. "You don't react to me like everyone else does. It's... refreshing."

Seo rolled her eyes, already regretting her decision not to walk away earlier. "If that's your way of flirting, it's pathetic."

The grin on Louis's face widened. "See? That's exactly what I mean."

Seo groaned internally. It was going to take a lot more than a one-eighth of Veela to disrupt her carefully ordered life—though she suspected Louis Weasley was the type to try.