Basil knew, he just knew, this feeling of happy camaraderie and forgetting about the past wouldn’t last. It had all been too good to be true. Chumming around with Gus, laughing for real and pretending everything was fine between them. Of course not. Something in the greater world - fate, the Gods, some ridiculously cruel puppet masters - had it in for him. As Basil watched the spell take hold, he sucked in a deep breath. He didn’t know what nonsense would come spewing out of Lissington’s mouth next; all he knew was that it didn’t bode well for either of them. Revellum was a telling spell, one that caused the victim to reveal their true emotions. Basil could only flinch at the thought of what those ‘true emotions’ might be between the two of them. Anger? Resentment? Frustration? He could name a handful of deadly, relationship-killing emotions that Lissing had every right to feel, especially after how this term had gone. He gripped his wand more tightly.

Basil was surprised then when instead of saying, well, anything - Lissington moved towards him. Grey eyes widened and Basil tried to put his hands up and derail the redhead, but before he could, the other was on him. And by god, was Lissington on him. His back hit the hedge - a small branch poking him in the side - but Basil could feel nothing except for the familiar, overwhelming presence of Gus Lissington on his tongue. It was like cinnamon and cedar, spice and gold, bursting over him with relish. This time Basil wasn’t under any memory charm, nor was he filled with the angst of their past lingering over him like a chip on the shoulder. Today Basil was… surprised, surely. But not… displeased. Not yet at least.

As Lissington’s hands settled on his hips and tugged him closer, the brunette felt a stirring in his gut he’d tried to ignore for years. His own hands settled awkwardly on Lissing’s hips in return, wand still clutched for dear life. He didn’t know what else to do with them?! Just as he was giving in to being snogged properly however, Basil felt the red head pull away. He stepped forward subconsciously, feeling strangely lacking, cold maybe, after the fact. He saw the gold sparks fizz out, the spell’s quick effect wearing off and leaving them stranded. Basil stood in silence appraising his assailant.

He didn’t know what to say. A part of him wanted to time-turner the moment back and replay it just so he could sort out what he was supposed to do next. The taste of chocolate lingered on his tongue and Basil finally cleared his throat. “Well…” he said quietly. “That…” He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. “I see.” He finally settled on, as if they’d been having a telling conversation instead of snogging in the middle of a practical exam. “Let’s… get back to the task, shall we?” Basil tugged his waistcoat down to straighten it and shook out his wand a little bit as if the tip was on fire. He didn’t know why, but he did it anyhow. Then, casting a silent, proper ‘revelio’ charm, Basil stepped through the door that appeared in the hedge as if nothing had happened. The other side would bring clarity, surely.

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