Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/1128651.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Hogwarts_Au_-_Fandom, Star_Trek_RPF
  Relationship:
      Chris_Pine/Zachary_Quinto
  Character:
      Karl_Urban, Chris_Pine, Zachary_Quinto
  Additional Tags:
      Hogwarts, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Quidditch, Fun
  Stats:
      Published: 2014-01-10 Chapters: 1/? Words: 2675
****** What Makes Us Different ******
by Wolf_Prince
Summary
     Zach may be a Slytherin but that doesn't mean he isn't a human being.
     He has feelings and is allowed to have a crush, right? Sure the guy
     he likes is his complete opposite but that doesn't mean he can't like
     him. Zach will have to find his way through feelings, friends, and
     enemies to find what he really wants in life.
     Chris is a star beater, not like that you pervs. He's a Gryffindor
     with great friends and average grades. But he's got an exploratory
     side, again not like that pervs. He's often out an about in the
     corridors after hours even when his friends try to make him stop.
     Slowly he's finding more and more reasons to be out of bed after
     hours.
     This is a journey that will shape both of them in ways they have yet
     to understand.
Notes
     I forget who prompted this but I liked the idea so I went with it.
     There will be more if the response is great enough. Please realize
     that this is not beta'd and is subject to change. Thanks for reading
     and please comment and all that other good stuff. Rated Explicit for
     language and later chapters.
Chapter I - Episkey
He sat in the Great Hall attempting to study. His attention was dragged away by
the laughter of two boys. He pushed the dark hair out of his face as he glared
at the two loud Gryffindors. He wasn't one to listen in on conversations, but
they were making it impossible. Of the two, the brunette was the loudest.
"Did you see it Karl? God I didn't mean it, but it was funny!" He laughed and
punched Karl's shoulder.
Karl smiled and shook his head, "Yeah, but Cumberbatch will kill you if he gets
the chance." He chided. To this the other boy simply rolls his eyes.
"Please. He couldn't catch me if his position on his team depended on it.
Besides, it was a stray bludger hit, and not even to a vital area." With that
statement the boy got up and stretched his arms above his head with a groan.
"Okay I'll see you later. I have work to do."
"Later Chris. Stay out of trouble." Karl punched at Chris' arm but misses.
"Yeah yeah, sure. I'll do that." Chris mocked. He walked past Zach, barely
taking notice to the other boy. Zach looked around making sure no one was
looking before he pulled his wand out and used a tripping spell. Quickly,
before anyone could notice, he went back to his work with a smile playing on
his lips.
Chris' feet seemed to slip out from under him. Before Chris could stop himself,
his chin crashed against the edge of one the tables before falling to the
ground in a heap. Blood rushed down Chris' face as he gripped his chin, letting
out a hiss of pain. "Sonofabitch! Karl what the hell?" Chris glared in the
direction of Karl.
Karl stared in shock not knowing what exactly had just happened. "It wasn't me,
mate. Not this time."
Chris waved him off in anger and pulled out his wand, pointing it at his chin.
"Episkey." His chin started to repair itself and he moved it about, seeming to
test for pain, before he deemed it not to bad and got up, dusting himself off.
"Pay back is a bitch my friend." Chris said with a wag of his index finger and
a smile.
Zach rolled his eyes at this and went back to his studies.
After a minute Karl got up and left, leaving Zach alone to his thoughts and
studies. It was a bitch being a Slytherin sometimes. All this stigma on who you
could and couldn't date and arrogance. It was down right annoying. While he
thought Chris had been annoying as hell, he had also found the boy attractive.
There was something to be said about someone who could take a hit to the chin
and appear to have no ill feelings about it. Zach noticed that Chris wasn't
that perfect beautiful, it was more his imperfections. The way his face had
divots from where old zits had scarred. The way his sapphire blue eyes captured
everything they saw in potions class and moved along with his wand in charms
and transfigurations class. Zach had noticed him without a doubt. How could he
not? It was a matter of finding a way to not let the others in his class know.
And the best way to do that was to either avoid Chris or openly make fun of
him, and ignoring was easier.
Aside, of course, from tripping him. That had been out of pure annoyance. If it
had been to make fun of him or mock him he might have taken the credit. He
hadn't meant to bust Chris' face open, and he hadn't expected him to take it
that well.
With a sigh Zach picked up his books and left the Great Hall. All he wanted to
do now was relax, maybe read a book.
 
                                      ***

Chris was of the mindset that, if you were going to a school that was also a
castle than you explored it. No two ways about it. Since Hogwarts was a castle
he explored it regularly, whether he was suppose to or not. This had gotten him
into trouble a number of times during his first few years, and occasionally
even now in his sixth year he would find himself in trouble. It wasn't like he
wanted to get into trouble, he wanted to explore and that just happened to get
him in trouble.
His current venture was the seventh floor. It seemed, to Chris, kind of dull in
comparison to other places in the castle. Nothing more then a tapestry and some
armored suits.
Chris was busy running his fingers up and down the suits for any sign of trap
door, secret passage, or mystery room. After finding not such things he gave a
disgruntled sigh and looked hopefully behind the tapestry. Upon seeing a stone
wall and nothing else he glared at the wall and threw the tapestry against the
wall and looked around the corridor.
'There has to be more here than some suits and a silly tapestry.' he thought.
Chris crossed his arms defiantly over his chest and tapped his foot while
pondering what the hell to do now. 'Not even a door to a classroom or
something? I guess I could check the other corridor.' Chris sigh and began to
traipse his way down the corridor when he heard a distinct meow.
He turned, wide eyed, towards the animal that had made the sound. 'Fuck. Mrs.
Norris. That means Filch isn't far behind!'' Chris started to pace. 'Fuck where
do I hide? I need a room, if I run he'll hear me. I can't get caught again I
need a place to lay low.'
As if reading his mind a door appeared across from the tapestry. Not letting a
moment go to waste Chris dashed into the newly attained room and swiftly closed
the door behind him, hoping Filch wouldn't look in the room.
 
                                      ***
 
Zach knew the risks of being out past curfew, the thing was that he didn't
care. If anyone bothered enough to check his bed it wouldn't matter because
they probably wouldn't think he was on the seventh floor in a room that doesn't
officially exist. No one would get the idea that he was in a room filled with
books reading till dawn. The most someone might think was that he was causing
trouble somewhere in the castle and simply couldn't be found. This room was his
sanctuary, his secret, from what others expected him to be.
He was currently nose deep in a muggle book. The last thing he expected was
Chris to open and slam the door shut. He looked up in surprise but quickly
marred his face into annoyance. Chris, who had yet to turn around, took in
several harsh breathes and gave a chuckle. He took no notice to Zach or the
room around him.
"Can I help you?" Zach's voice rang out in irritation. His voice was harsh but
inside all he could do was cringe at his tone. He wanted to get to know Chris,
to build a friendship or more, but Chris wasn't going to like him either way,
so why try being nice in private?
Chris gave a little jump and turned around, clutching at his chest. "Oh crap
you scared me. What are you doing in here?" He seemed not to notice the tone
taken with him. Something that made Zach want to roll his eyes.
"That's not your business." Zach stated frankly. "Can I help you?" He
reiterated.
Chris shook his head with a small smile. "Just hiding from Filch, that's all."
He walked further into the room and sat on a chair across from Zach. "So,
again, what are you doing in here?"
Zach could tell Chris was trying to be friendly, and that kinda scared him. The
biggest question on his mind was: why? "As I said before Chris, it's not your
business." He said with finality, mentally berating himself for letting Chris'
name slip out, before attempting to go back to his book.
Chris however did not give up. He seemed determined to stay. He continued to
sit and stare at Zach. "Is that a good book?"
Zach threw the book down in a huff. He realized that he was going to have to be
blunt with Chris. "Chris go away." Zach cursed to himself for letting the name
slip again.
Chris stared in mock shock. "Wow you know my name! I feel honored." He said
facetiously.
Zach glared at him for a second or two, contemplating whether or not to mention
that he had, in fact, said Chris' name more then once.
With a sigh Zach gave in. "I came here read, yes it's a great book, and of
course I know your name, we're in the same year." He listed matter-of-factly.
Chris nodded at this and said nothing, only gave a small quirk of his lips.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Zach knew it was bullshit. What was he thinking with his lips turned up like
that? Zach eyed him suspiciously, trying to work it out. He was so caught up in
his thought that he hadn't realized Chris picked up his book. Not until Chris
let out a low impressed whistle.
"Muggle book? I thought Slytherins loathed anything muggle related." Chris
quirked an eyebrow. His smile grew wider as Zach attempted to snatch the book
back only to have Chris get up and pull it just out of his reach.
"Contrary to popular belief we don't all care about blood purity." Zach stated
with a grunt, getting up to lung for the book again. "Give it back Pine!" Chris
pulled it back again.
"I will on one condition." He laughed. This caused Zach to pause. Great they
were playing this game. This was going to be great.
With a resigned sigh, Zach stopped his attempts. "What is your condition?" Zach
crossed his arms.
Chris pretended to think about it before saying, "Tell me why you tripped me
earlier." All trace of humor had left Chris' voice and face. Instead it was
replaced by one of hurt curiosity.
"How did you know it was me. You accused your friend of doing it earlier." Zach
bit his lip in anticipation of Chris' response.
"Oh please, you're not as slick as you think. I could hear you mutter the
spell." Chris laughed and shook his head.
Zach flushed knowing he'd been caught. Chris was sharp as a tack. If he caught
onto that, what else had he caught?
Chris took a few steps closer to Zach. "So why did you trip me?"
"You were annoying me while I was trying to study." He mumbled and grabbed for
the book again. This time he found purchase and removed it from the brunette's
hand.
"You could have just told us to shut up you know." Zach shrugged and set the
book back on the table.
An awkward silence feel over the two. Neither knew what else to say or do
exactly. Chris, satisfied with his answer, wanted to look around a bit before
he went back to his exploring and Zach still wanted Chris to go the hell away
for a volley or reasons. After a few minutes Chris broke the silence.
"So, come here often?" He let a smile spread across his face.
All Zach could do was let out a laugh before collecting himself. What a
ridiculously mundane question. Come here often? Like nothing previously had
just happened! He took a deep breath and let himself smile at the situation.
"Yeah I do. Almost every night actually."
Chris nodded and continued his questioning. "What about when there's a
Quidditch match?"
Zach's eyebrows knitted. "I could not, repeat could not, care less about
Quidditch. I haven't watched a match since I found this place."
Chris sucked in a breath, holding his hands up defensively. "Okay, no harm.
Just curious."
"It's not your fault. I just can't stand to watch it. It makes me-" He set a
slightly shocked look at Chris. "You have a way of making people talk you know
that?"
Chris nodded at this and smiled. "It's a gift."
"One I wish to have no part of." Zach said swiftly before he turned to hide his
blush. He picked up his book and shuffled towards the door.
Chris moved quickly to get ahead of him. This startled Zach to a point of
making him stop. "I'll go first. I don't want you to get in trouble because of
me." He smiled genuinely at Zach. "Besides, I invaded your space. I'll see you
in class."
He made a move to leave, only stopping when Zach said quietly, "If you need to
hide here, all you have to do is think about needing a place to hide and walk
past the tapestry three times."
Chris turned and smiled at him. "Thanks. Maybe I'll be back tomorrow." Chris
chuckled and left the room.
Zach stood there, stunned. Why had he done that? He felt his face grow hot and
flushed. If anyone found out he'd be killed for sure, or ostracized at least.
The hard part of this was going to be keeping his cool when Chris was around,
he realized that now. In those few minutes with Chris he realized just how much
of a crush he had on the irresponsible Gryffindor. Chris had done nothing but
questioned him and Zach was caught. Zach had no idea how to escape, or if he
wanted to. All he knew was he was caught.
He rubbed his face trying to come back to reality and laughed at himself for
letting his calm exterior fall. Chris was a Gryffindor, there was no way that
relationship would work. Chris would see him as an arrogant, self righteous,
entitled ass and that was just how it was. Nothing would change that, right?
Chris was just making a joke of him. He couldn't let himself be fooled.
As dawn drew closer he grabbed his book and left the room. He tried to put
Chris out of his mind, but found it impossible. No matter how much he knew he
was being played, he wanted Chris to be genuine in that smile.
 
                                      ***
 
Chris would be lying if he said he didn't like annoying a Slytherin from time
to time and Zach made it easy. There was something about looking at Zach and
making him lose his cool that made Chris happy. He genuinely wanted to get to
know him, I mean who says Gryffindors and Slytherins couldn't hand out? Was
there some law or rule against it? No, that would be stupid. Just some hyped up
bullshit brought on my some assholes in each house.
He wondered what Karl would think. He also wondered if he particularly cared
what others thought and came to the conclusion that he did. Karl had been his
friend since second year and was a bigger part of his life then he was
sometimes willing to admit.
Chris kept thinking of Zach and possibly going to see him again tomorrow -
- today? Was it past midnight? -- and it made him smile. It was always nice to
have friends from different houses, even if you did kick their teams asses from
time to time. The whole event played back to him as he snuck through the halls
and corridors to reach the Fat Lady.
As he walked up to the portrait he realized she was asleep. He poked at the
portrait and quietly, yet urgently, as he could Chris tried to wake her. "Get
up I need in. You can't keep me out here all night." he poked the Fat Lady
again getting a loud snore in response. 'This can't be fucking happening. You
have to be kidding me.'
He tried again to wake her but with no luck. Just as Chris was about to give up
he heard purposeful steps walking in his direction and froze. He knew his night
was about to go South.
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