Work Text:
Kim Seungmin had always found the company of books far more interesting than that of people.
As a true Ravenclaw, he sincerely believed that knowledge was the greatest value in his life. So when the new, young Headmaster, Christopher Bang, offered him the position of Hogwarts librarian, he accepted without hesitation.
The prospect of "spending the rest of his life between bookshelves," as his mother so often liked to say, didn't frighten him in the slightest.
Besides, the Hogwarts library had always felt like a second home to him.
He had spent so much time within its walls that he could tell you exactly which shelf, in which row, held any given book. Madam Pince used to joke that Seungmin spent more time there than she did. It was with her permission that he had occasionally been allowed to stay after closing hours.
Those remained some of his fondest school memories.
When the library emptied and he could be alone with hundreds upon hundreds of incredible books.
When nobody interrupted him.
When nobody distracted him from the simple joy of reading.
And now he was here again.
Standing in the deserted library in a new role, savoring the silence and the scent of ink and paper.
"Ahem... Mr. Kim, don't you think it's a little creepy to stand motionless in the middle of a library in complete darkness?"
Seungmin flinched and spun around at the unfamiliar voice.
Before him stood a young man in a long black robe that concealed most of his body. His hair was disheveled, and dark eyes peered at him curiously through large round glasses.
It was difficult to determine his age.
Seungmin couldn't tell whether he was an older student or one of the newly hired professors.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here at this hour? The library is closed."
"Oh, so you're not particularly well-mannered either."
The stranger tilted his head.
"You know, answering a question with another question isn't very polite."
Seungmin unconsciously frowned.
The situation was bizarre.
He was in charge of this library.
So why was he being lectured like some misbehaving first-year?
"You're not exactly eager to answer my questions either."
Seungmin had no intention of backing down.
Unexpectedly, the stranger broke into a wide grin.
The smile was so dazzling that for one brief moment Seungmin thought it might be the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
"My name is Han Jisung. But you can just call me Han."
The stranger shoved his hands into his pockets.
"It seems Chris forgot to warn you."
The casual way he referred to the Headmaster immediately caught Seungmin's attention.
Only someone who knew Bang Chan personally would speak of him so familiarly.
Definitely not a student.
So a professor, then?
But Seungmin knew all the older staff members personally, and none of the newer professors would casually talk about the Headmaster like that in front of a stranger.
He was completely baffled.
"In any case," Han continued cheerfully, "you should get used to my presence, because this is my library."
Before Seungmin could even process the audacity of that statement, Han vanished.
Just like that.
As suddenly as he had appeared.
One moment he was standing there.
The next, he was gone.
Dissolved into thin air right in front of Kim Seungmin's eyes.
Everyone knew that Hogwarts was protected by enchantments that prevented Apparition.
The library had even more protective wards to ensure that nobody could enter or leave by magical means.
Which meant Seungmin was absolutely certain that something completely unheard of had just happened.
---
"Oh, Seungmin! How are you settling into your new position?"
Christopher barely looked up from the stack of paperwork on his desk.
"I know you haven't had much time yet, but do you already have any suggestions? Perhaps we should purchase some new books for the library? The Board of Governors is meeting next week. We could allocate additional funds."
Christopher's ability to jump straight into work-related matters had always amazed Seungmin.
The man seemed physically incapable of stopping.
"Actually, I do have a few suggestions."
Seungmin sat down across from him.
"But that's not the main reason I'm here."
Christopher finally looked up.
"Last night, after the library closed, I had a rather strange encounter..."
For a second, Christopher frowned.
Then understanding dawned on his face.
"It seems you've met Han."
Seungmin's eyes widened instantly.
"So you really do know him?"
"I didn't want to bother you with this immediately, so I tried investigating on my own first. But there isn't a Han Jisung listed among the students or the professors. And somehow he bypassed all the protective enchantments and disappeared into thin air. Is he from the Board of Governors? Why was he even in the library?"
Christopher sighed.
"Sorry. I should've warned you beforehand."
He leaned back in his chair.
"The truth is, he doesn't show up very often. Madam Pince only encountered him twice during her entire time as librarian. I didn't expect him to appear during your first week."
The more Christopher explained, the less Seungmin understood.
"Christopher, you're not helping."
"Right. Sorry."
Christopher rubbed the back of his neck.
"Let's start from the beginning."
"You know the library is divided into sections. There are the public areas, the Restricted Section, which students can only access with permission from a professor..."
Seungmin nodded.
"But there's another section."
Christopher's expression grew serious.
"It's not exactly part of the library. It's more like a vault."
"A vault?"
"A place where we keep special books."
Ancient tomes.
Rare magical grimoires.
Historical scrolls.
Even a few cursed books.
"They're incredibly valuable," Christopher continued. "Most of them are irreplaceable."
"The keys to the vault are traditionally held by the Headmaster and the librarian. However, Madam Pince was a Squib. Since she couldn't use magic, it was decided that giving her access could potentially put her in danger. So for many years only the Headmaster carried a key."
Christopher flicked his wand.
A hidden drawer slid open inside his desk.
From it, he retrieved a small silver key covered in intricate patterns.
Then he handed it to Seungmin.
"Now that you're the new librarian, the second key belongs to you."
Seungmin accepted it carefully.
The metal felt surprisingly cold against his skin.
"As for Han..."
Christopher smiled.
"He's one of the residents of that vault."
Seungmin blinked.
"What?"
"Han is a magical tome."
A pause.
"A what?"
"A magical tome."
Christopher looked entirely too amused.
"He has been stored in the vault for approximately eight hundred years. As far as anyone can tell, he gained consciousness around five hundred years ago."
Seungmin stared at him.
Waiting for the punchline.
It never came.
"Most of the time he remains in book form. Occasionally he takes on a human form."
Christopher pointed at him.
"The one you met yesterday."
Seungmin suddenly felt like he needed a very strong drink.
"You see, Han is incredibly curious," Christopher continued, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Seungmin's entire understanding of reality had just been shattered.
"He loves learning new things. He constantly absorbs information, studies, observes. That's how he grows."
"Grows?"
Christopher nodded.
"Every piece of knowledge he acquires becomes part of him. His pages expand, his contents change. In a sense, he's always updating himself."
A fond smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Actually, nobody even knows how many pages he has anymore."
Seungmin wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"The last person who tried counting them gave up around two hundred years ago."
"And?"
Christopher grinned.
"They stopped somewhere around a trillion."
Seungmin stared.
Then stared some more.
Finally, he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"So what you're telling me is that he's basically a book with a terrible personality?"
Christopher burst out laughing.
Openly.
Loudly.
The kind of laughter that made it impossible to take offense.
"No, Seungmin."
He shook his head.
"He's not just a book."
The warmth in Christopher's voice immediately caught Seungmin's attention.
"Han is one of the greatest treasures in the magical world."
His expression softened.
"He can be eccentric, childish, impossible, infuriating—whatever you want to call him."
"But he will never be just a book."
There was so much affection in those words that Seungmin suddenly felt guilty for his own dismissiveness.
"It sounds like you two get along well."
Christopher smiled.
"I consider him one of my closest friends."
Then he looked at Seungmin knowingly.
"And I'm sure the two of you will get along as well."
Seungmin raised an eyebrow.
"That's a very optimistic prediction."
"Just give him a chance."
---
By the end of the workday, Seungmin was sitting in his quarters with a cup of tea.
A book lay open in front of him.
For the first time in a long while, he couldn't focus on reading.
His thoughts kept circling back to the strange young man from the library.
Or rather—
The magical tome.
No matter how absurd that sounded.
Again and again, he found himself replaying Christopher's words.
"Han can be anything, but he'll never be just a book."
"Give him a chance."
A quiet knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.
Seungmin frowned.
He wasn't expecting visitors.
Especially not this visitor.
When he opened the door, Han was standing there.
"Hi."
For once, his voice sounded uncertain.
"Oh."
Seungmin leaned against the doorframe.
"So you do know how to use doors."
Han blinked.
"I was beginning to think your only talent was appearing and disappearing without warning."
Despite himself, Seungmin still hadn't entirely forgiven yesterday's stunt.
The irritation was mostly gone.
But only mostly.
Han rubbed the back of his neck.
"I know our first meeting didn't exactly go well..."
"And whose fault was that?"
Seungmin asked immediately.
Han sighed dramatically.
"Could you maybe be a little more forgiving?"
He placed a hand over his chest.
"I'm trying to apologize."
The expression was so theatrical that Seungmin almost laughed.
Almost.
"After all," Han continued mournfully, "I'm just a book with a terrible personality. Human relationships are very difficult for me."
Seungmin froze.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"Did you eavesdrop?"
Han looked deeply offended.
"No."
The answer came immediately.
"Chris told me."
Seungmin blinked.
"He said I made a bad first impression and ordered me to fix it."
The way Han said it made it sound as though he were the victim in all of this.
And somehow, Seungmin's heart wasn't entirely immune to that look.
Especially because...
Well.
He did feel a little guilty about those words now.
"I shouldn't have said that."
His voice softened.
"I'm sorry."
This time the apology was genuine.
Entirely sincere.
And judging by the way Han's expression brightened, it seemed to work.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Then his eyes drifted past Seungmin's shoulder into the room.
"I suppose..."
Han tilted his head.
"I'd be willing to forgive you and offer an olive branch."
His gaze landed on the tea set.
Then on the chocolate cake sitting on the table.
"If you invite me in for tea and that incredible-looking chocolate cake."
The innocent smile immediately transformed into something mischievous.
And suddenly Seungmin understood exactly what Christopher had meant.
Han was absolutely, unquestionably, not just a book.
---
"Why did you decide to become a librarian?"
Han was sprawled comfortably in one of the chairs in Seungmin's office.
As though he owned the place.
It was a perfectly ordinary workday.
Seungmin had far too much paperwork and nowhere near enough time.
Han, however, appeared entirely unconcerned by this fact.
Seungmin looked up from his documents with an expression that clearly said you're interrupting my work.
Han ignored it completely.
As usual.
"I mean," he continued, "children usually dream about becoming Aurors or professional Quidditch players."
He waved a hand.
"Or dragon researchers."
"Something impressive."
"Something exciting."
He pointed accusingly at Seungmin.
"Nobody dreams about becoming a librarian."
At some point, these visits during working hours had become normal.
Ridiculously normal.
And while Seungmin still pretended Han was a nuisance...
The truth was that he enjoyed these conversations far more than he wanted to admit.
At least he couldn't lie to himself about that.
"My father was an Auror."
The answer escaped before he could stop it.
Han immediately sat up straighter.
Seungmin sighed.
He knew there was no escaping now.
Just like always when it came to Han.
"When I was little, I wanted to be exactly like him."
His fingers tightened around his quill.
"I was going to catch dark wizards."
"Protect people."
His gaze drifted toward the window.
"But one day he didn't come home."
The room fell silent.
"He was killed during an operation against Death Eaters."
Han's expression changed instantly.
All traces of humor disappeared.
"I'm sorry, Seungmin."
The sincerity in his voice was almost painful.
"I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's okay."
Seungmin managed a small smile.
"It happened a long time ago."
He stared at his hands.
"It's like an old cut."
"The scar might still be ugly."
"But it doesn't hurt anymore."
At least not the way it once had.
He took a deep breath.
After a moment, he continued.
"Everything changed after he died."
"Our house stopped looking like his."
His voice was quiet now.
"All the reminders disappeared."
"His awards."
"His belongings."
"The books from his office."
"Even his wand."
"There was nothing left."
He swallowed.
"And my mother..."
The words stuck briefly in his throat.
"She stopped looking at me."
Han didn't interrupt.
Didn't move.
Didn't say a word.
So Seungmin kept talking.
"She always said I looked too much like him."
His laugh was hollow.
"Sometimes it felt like my existence alone hurt her."
"As though, if she could've, she would've thrown me away together with all of his things."
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Painfully heavy.
"When I tried talking about him, she'd shut me down."
"She told me not to mention him."
"She called him a fool."
A pause.
"Said he gave his life to the Ministry, and all they got in return was a posthumous medal and a pathetic pension."
His voice broke slightly.
"So eventually I stopped asking."
Another pause.
"It felt like I lost both of my parents at the same time."
Seungmin looked away.
Toward the bookshelves lining the office walls.
"When I was alone in that huge empty house..."
A sad smile appeared on his lips.
"I hid in libraries."
"And I read everything my tiny hands could reach."
"Eventually it became part of who I was."
His gaze softened.
"I can't imagine my life without books anymore."
The confession lingered between them.
Seungmin wasn't sure what else there was to say.
So he stood.
Walked toward the window.
And tried to escape Han's gaze.
Maybe he'd said too much.
Maybe he shouldn't have said any of it.
The office was silent.
Then he heard footsteps.
Soft.
Careful.
A moment later, a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
Warm.
Steady.
Safe.
Like a protective cocoon.
"I'm really sorry."
Han's voice was quiet.
"So, so sorry."
The embrace tightened slightly.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
A pause.
"And I'm sorry your love for books began with loss."
Something inside Seungmin finally loosened.
Some old burden he hadn't realized he was still carrying.
The ache he'd dragged around for years suddenly felt lighter.
Han's embrace was like a healing potion.
Warmth spreading through every crack.
Mending things Seungmin hadn't known were broken.
And for the first time in a very long while—
He wanted to stay exactly where he was.
-----------
“I need to pick up some books I ordered from Tony Burns. Would you like to walk to Hogsmeade with me?”
Seungmin isn't really expecting a yes.
Han rarely leaves the grounds of Hogwarts.
“The weather is awful. Looks like it's going to rain.”
Han is currently sitting in Seungmin's favorite armchair, in Seungmin's room, holding one of Seungmin's books, and somehow acting as though all of it rightfully belongs to him.
He looks perfectly comfortable.
“Are you afraid you'll get soggy or something?” Seungmin jokes, trying to hide how much he actually wants Han to come with him.
Maybe they could stop by the Three Broomsticks and have a glass of blackcurrant rum.
Or, at worst, butterbeer, if Han truly handled alcohol as poorly as Christopher claimed.
Jisung shoots him a mock-offended glare.
But when he speaks, his voice is gentle.
“Sorry. I've been feeling really tired lately.”
He closes the book resting on his lap.
“Let's save the walk for next time.”
A small smile appears on his face.
“I promise I'll go with you wherever you want.”
Seungmin looks away before Han can notice his disappointment.
Lately, Han has been disappearing more and more often.
Sometimes for several days at a time.
And every disappearance becomes harder to endure.
Christopher insists it's normal.
Han has always vanished from time to time.
What's unusual, according to him, is how much time Han has spent in human form recently.
It's exhausting for him.
But Seungmin doesn't want to hear any of it.
He's become far too attached.
And now every day without Han feels unbearably long.
Unbearably empty.
“Alright.”
He reaches for his cloak.
“I'll be back in two hours.”
“Oh, and if it's not too much trouble...” Han calls after him.
Seungmin pauses at the doorway.
“Could you stop by Madame Bell's bakery on your way back and get one of her famous chocolate cakes?”
Seungmin merely nods.
Then disappears through the door.
Two hours later, he returns carrying books in one hand and a chocolate cake in the other.
His room is empty.
Han is gone.
---
“He's been gone for over six months.”
Seungmin paces back and forth across Christopher's office.
He can't sit still.
Can't calm down.
“Maybe something happened to him.”
“Have you been to the vault?”
Christopher watches him carefully.
“Is the tome still there?”
Seungmin gives a short nod.
“Then there's nothing to worry about.”
Christopher's answer comes immediately.
“He'll come back.”
“Seungmin, I know this isn't easy for you, but give him a little more time.”
Seungmin lets out a bitter laugh.
“A little more time?”
He runs a hand through his hair.
“I think I'm losing my mind.”
His voice sounds exhausted.
“I go down to the vault every day just to make sure he's still there.”
Christopher says nothing.
“I sit there for hours.”
Seungmin stares at the floor.
“I tell him about my day.”
A painful smile crosses his face.
“And every single time I hope he'll finally appear.”
His shoulders sag.
“But he never does.”
The room falls silent.
Then Christopher asks quietly,
“You're in love with him, aren't you?”
The words hit like a Stunning Spell.
Seungmin freezes.
For a second he forgets how to breathe.
“Is it really that obvious?”
The fight drains out of him instantly.
He drops into the nearest chair.
Lowers his head.
His voice becomes barely audible.
“I don't know when it happened.”
A pause.
“Or how.”
Another pause.
“He just... became more necessary than air.”
His hands tighten together.
“I can't breathe without him.”
The confession spills out before he can stop it.
“Without his endless jokes.”
“Without his stupid comments.”
“Without his sunshine smiles.”
“Without his constant talking.”
“Without his hugs.”
He laughs quietly.
The sound is miserable.
“Sometimes it feels like I don't even exist without him.”
His eyes close.
“It's infuriating.”
A long breath leaves him.
“Nobody comes into my office anymore to distract me from work.”
“Nobody steals my tea.”
“Nobody demands pumpkin cookies and chocolate cake.”
His voice breaks slightly.
“And somehow I miss every second of it.”
Christopher watches him for a long moment.
Then asks softly,
“Did you ever tell him?”
Seungmin lifts a tired gaze.
“No.”
The answer is immediate.
“I couldn't.”
“Why not?”
Seungmin lets out a humorless laugh.
“Because I didn't want to ruin everything.”
His fingers drum against the armrest.
“And because he started disappearing more and more often.”
“When he did come back, he seemed distant.”
“Exhausted.”
“Like he wasn't really there with me.”
He shakes his head.
“I didn't know what to do.”
A pause.
“And honestly...”
He looks away.
“I don't think I should have said anything.”
Christopher's expression shifts.
“Seungmin—”
“You said it yourself.”
He interrupts.
“Han is an ancient tome.”
“Hundreds of years old.”
The words sound absurd even to him.
“Us?”
He laughs bitterly.
“Just hearing it out loud sounds ridiculous.”
Christopher looks at him as though he's an idiot.
But says nothing.
Eventually Seungmin stands.
“Anyway.”
He straightens his robes.
“I should go.”
“I've already taken enough of your time.”
He forces a smile.
“And don't worry about anything I said.”
Christopher clearly does not believe him.
“I'll deal with it.”
---
The long walk around the grounds helps a little.
Not much.
But enough that Seungmin can finally breathe again.
By the time he returns to his room, the sun has almost set.
He opens the door.
And freezes.
Han is there.
For a moment, Seungmin doesn't dare move.
Doesn't dare blink.
Doesn't dare breathe.
Because if he does—
Han might disappear.
Just like he always does.
They stand in silence.
Watching each other.
Until the silence becomes unbearable.
Someone has to say something.
Anything.
Something safe.
Something that won't reveal how much Seungmin has missed him.
“You've been gone a long time.”
That seems harmless enough.
With a tremendous effort, Seungmin forces his heart to settle.
Pretends everything is normal.
Pretends nothing is happening.
He walks toward his desk.
Clenching his hands tightly so Han won't notice they're trembling.
Han remains silent.
Watching him.
Following every movement.
As though he's studying him.
And suddenly Seungmin realizes—
Han has no intention of playing along.
“Turns out unrequited love can be pretty exhausting.”
His voice cuts through the room.
Soft.
Calm.
Merciless.
Seungmin stops as though struck by lightning.
His entire body goes rigid.
For a moment, he has no idea what those words mean.
No idea how to react.
The mask of indifference he's worn for months cracks instantly.
Fear.
Hope.
Disbelief.
All of it flashes across his face.
Slowly, he turns around.
Han is still looking at him.
Directly.
Unwaveringly.
Has he been found out?
When?
How?
“...What are you talking about?”
The question comes out weaker than intended.
Han's gaze burns.
“I said,” he repeats,
“I love you.”
Seungmin's heart misses a beat.
For a moment, he's convinced he misheard.
That his mind, starved of Han's presence for half a year, has finally snapped and started inventing things.
Because Han can't possibly have said that.
He can't possibly love Seungmin.
Anyone but him.
Surely anyone but him.
But Han isn't finished.
“Why didn't you tell me you loved me too?”
His voice is quiet.
Almost wounded.
“Am I not worthy of your love?”
“What...?”
Seungmin's thoughts scatter instantly.
“No. That's not it. I—”
He desperately searches for the right words.
For some way to explain.
But Han cuts him off.
“Maybe loving me is embarrassing.”
A bitter smile tugs at his lips.
“Or wrong.”
His gaze drops briefly.
“After all, I'm just an old stupid book, aren't I?”
Seungmin stares at him in disbelief.
“You still remember that?”
Han doesn't answer.
And somehow that silence is answer enough.
Seungmin drags a hand down his face.
“Han.”
His voice is soft now.
“I never thought you were just a book.”
He takes a step forward.
“I said that because I was irritated.”
Another step.
“And overwhelmed.”
A helpless laugh escapes him.
“But even during our first meeting, I never thought you were ordinary.”
His eyes remain fixed on Han's.
“That's the problem.”
Han blinks.
“The problem?”
“Yes.”
Seungmin nods.
“Because out of the two of us, I'm the ordinary one.”
The words come easier now.
Like a dam finally breaking.
“You are a treasure.”
“One of the greatest treasures the magical world has ever known.”
His smile is small.
Self-deprecating.
“I'm just a librarian.”
Nothing more.
Nothing special.
“Don't you understand?”
His voice grows quieter.
“It isn't you who's unworthy.”
A pause.
“It's me.”
The confession settles heavily between them.
“I shouldn't be hoping for anything.”
He laughs weakly.
“The fact that you appeared in my life at all already feels like a miracle.”
His gaze drops for a moment.
“And I couldn't risk ruining that.”
The next words are almost a whisper.
“I'm terrified of losing you.”
For several seconds, Han simply stares at him.
Then he sighs.
Fondly.
Hopelessly.
“You're such an idiot.”
The words are so gentle that they make Seungmin's chest ache.
Han takes a step closer.
“How can someone read that many books and still be this stupid?”
He shakes his head dramatically.
“Why did Chris choose you?”
Despite everything, Seungmin lets out a startled laugh.
Han reaches up.
His fingertips brush softly against Seungmin's cheek.
The touch is feather-light.
“If anyone else had gotten this job,” Han murmurs, “it would've saved me a ridiculous amount of stress.”
Something inside Seungmin finally loosens.
The fear.
The uncertainty.
The endless waiting.
All of it begins to dissolve.
Because Han is here.
Because he's real.
Because he's looking at Seungmin as though he's the most important thing in the room.
And maybe—
Just maybe—
He always has.
Seungmin closes the remaining distance between them.
Wraps his arms around Han.
Pulls him close.
This time he doesn't care about being careful.
Doesn't care about hiding.
He buries his face in Han's hair and breathes.
Really breathes.
For the first time in months.
“Where else,” he murmurs against his hair,
“would you find an idiot willing to walk three miles every day just to bring you fresh chocolate cake?”
Han laughs.
The sound is warm and familiar and achingly beloved.
“You're right.”
His arms tighten around Seungmin's waist.
“Chris did make an excellent choice after all.”
And for the first time in what feels like forever, Seungmin finds himself thinking that perhaps Christopher Bang had been right about more than one thing.
Han had never been just a book.
And Seungmin had never really stood a chance against him.
Not against the endless curiosity.
Not against the terrible jokes.
Not against the sunshine smiles.
Not against the way Han had quietly become home.
The realization should probably have been alarming.
Instead, it feels perfect.
So Seungmin simply holds him tighter.
And this time, when Han doesn't disappear, he finally allows himself to believe that he's here to stay.