●10

“When done correctly, it’s completely one-sided. However, spells involving emotions and life energy are extremely tricky things. Especially when another emotion has been mistaken for hate. Because the original design was for the spell to be two-sided, it automatically tries to double back and bond both enemy and caster together. That’s why it requires a third person to cast the counter spell--“

“But I looked through the whole book!” Hoseok interrupted, “I didn’t find anything remotely like a counterspell!”

Pomfrey’s lips pressed together in annoyance. Silently, she flipped open the book to exact page with the spell, turned it over, and pointed to the jagged edge of a torn page nestled between the pages. “Evidently, you didn’t look hard enough.”

Hoseok turned red.

“So there is no counter spell?” Jungkook asked uneasily.

“No, I can locate it later in the restricted section. But it must be cast before the primary spell has been completed. It’s useless otherwise. Sorry dears, but all you can do is wait for it to fade. And don’t worry, it will fade to almost nothing given the time. We’ll all just have to be patient.”

Jimin let out a sigh of relief. Okay, so it wasn’t the best situation, but it was certainly better than being stuck with Jeon Jungkook for the rest of his life. Namjoon appeared to agree and grinned broadly.

“So, when can we toss the ferret?”

Jungkook sat up, face darkening with anger, but Madam Pomfrey was speaking.

“Hmm, the need for constant physical contact should be gone in a week, you’ll still be fairly touchy though. In a few months you’ll be able to go for hours at time without seeing each other--“

[Months?] Jimin thought, his stomach sinking. Beside him Jungkook let out a sound of dismay.

“---I’d say about a year or so before you can live normally and separately again.” she sighed.

_______________

For an endless moment, all Jimin could comprehend was that he was going to be spending the next year exclusively in Jeon Jungkook’s company. A whole entire year without Jungkook’s leer, his teasing, his attitude, his...everything! No escape, no time outs, no please-leave-before-I-hurt-you, and worse yet, he’d want it that way. If his current condition were any indication, he’d probably make every effort to keep Jungkook near him. God, that was a scary thought. With a feeling of perfect calm, Jimin turned to look at where Namjoon and Hoseok stood.

“You understand that I hate you both now. Nothing personal, truly,” he said almost cheerfully, “I just wanted to warn you now so you’re not surprised when I snub you in the halls and spread nasty rumors about you.”

Hoseok frowned in a ‘it’s not my fault and I’m insulted you would suggest otherwise’ kind of way, but Namjoon was nodding. “Under the circumstances, I don’t blame you.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***