BTS And The Death Flame

As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Seo Min found herself gazing out at the snow-dusted rooftops of the village, her breath fogging up the glass. The Hogwarts castle loomed in the distance, its spires piercing the evening sky. The sight was mesmerizing, but Seo Min couldn't help feeling out of place, especially among this group of magical boys who seemed to belong to this world in ways she couldn't fathom.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Seo Min," Namjoon said, standing up and offering her a hand. His kind, thoughtful expression was a balm after Taehyung's earlier explosion. The others were gathering their things, their chatter a mix of excitement and banter.

"Yeah, Hogwarts," Seo Min mumbled, grabbing her bag and glancing at the wand still tucked into her belt. The Elder Wand. Death and destruction, Taehyung had called it. But to her, it was just... a stick.

The group filed off the train, their robes billowing in the chilly air. Seo Min followed, flanked by Jungkook and Jimin, who were in high spirits, laughing and joking as they walked.

"Are you nervous?" Jimin asked, looking up at her with his warm, open smile.

"A little," Seo Min admitted. "This is... a lot to take in."

"You'll be fine," Jungkook said, his bunny-like grin reassuring. "Stick with us, and you'll survive. Probably."

"Probably?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged. "Well, it's Hogwarts. There's always some kind of danger."

As they approached the carriages, Seo Min noticed they were pulled by strange, skeletal creatures with leathery wings. She shivered and stopped in her tracks. "What are those?"

"The Thestrals," Yoongi said softly, noticing her hesitation. His voice carried an odd mix of reverence and sadness. "They're invisible to anyone who hasn't... well, experienced death firsthand."

Seo Min felt a lump rise in her throat. "I can see them," she said quietly.

The group exchanged glances, but no one pressed her for details. Instead, Namjoon gestured toward the nearest carriage. "Let's get moving. It's a long ride to the castle."

---

As the group entered the Great Hall, Seo Min's breath caught in her throat. The enchanted ceiling reflected the starry night sky, and candles floated above rows of long, wooden tables. The place buzzed with chatter and laughter, and the warm golden light made it feel both magical and welcoming.

"Wow," Seo Min whispered, her eyes wide.

"It's something, isn't it?" Jin said, smiling. "Even after all these years, it never gets old."

At the front of the hall, where the staff table was situated, sat none other than Harry Potter himself, now the headmaster of Hogwarts. His messy black hair and iconic lightning bolt scar were unmistakable. He rose from his seat, commanding the attention of every student in the room.

"Welcome, new students," Harry said, his voice firm yet kind. "And to all returning students, welcome back to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Seo Min's heart raced. This was Harry Potter-the Harry Potter. The man Namjoon had spoken of with such reverence, the one Jin said had mastered death itself. And now he was here, guiding her first steps into this magical world.

"Please step forward for sorting," Harry continued, gesturing toward the ancient Sorting Hat perched on a stool at the center of the room.

Seo Min followed Namjoon and the others to the front, her palms sweating as the hat began its work. Each of her companions stepped forward in turn, and the hat's decisions seemed to delight the hall. Jin, Hoseok, and Taehyung were all sorted into Gryffindor, their table roaring with approval. Yoongi went to Slytherin, smirking slightly as he took his seat. Namjoon and Jimin followed, both sorted into Gryffindor, while Jungkook joined his hyungs at the same table.

Finally, it was Seo Min's turn. The hall seemed to quiet as she approached the stool, her heart pounding. She sat down, and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

"Ah, a complicated one," the hat murmured, its voice soft but clear in her mind. "Bravery, yes, though you doubt it in yourself. Loyalty and compassion, too, though you hide it behind a wall. And ambition... hmm, there's a spark there as well. You could do well in many houses, but where will you truly thrive?"

Seo Min swallowed hard, unsure of what to say or do.

The hat hummed in thought. "You seek a family. A place where you can grow and face the challenges ahead. Yes... better be... Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table exploded with cheers as Seo Min removed the hat and made her way to the table, her heart still racing. Namjoon clapped her on the back as she sat down beside him, his grin wide and welcoming.

"Welcome to Gryffindor," he said.

Jimin beamed at her from across the table. "Told you we'd stick together!"

Seo Min gave a small, shaky smile, her gaze flicking briefly to the Elder Wand tucked at her side. As the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers for their newest member, Seo Min tried to absorb the overwhelming atmosphere. She smiled faintly at Namjoon and Jimin, who were chatting animatedly beside her, but her thoughts kept returning to the wand at her side-the Elder Wand.

The celebration was interrupted when Harry Potter stood from his place at the head table and walked down the aisle toward her. The Hall gradually quieted, students and staff alike turning to watch the Headmaster. His emerald eyes, sharp and penetrating, locked onto Seo Min's, and she felt her stomach drop.

"Seo Min," he said, his tone steady but firm. "May I have a word?"

The chatter around her fell silent. Namjoon gave her a supportive nod, and Jin whispered, "You'll be fine," though his expression betrayed concern. Seo Min nodded back hesitantly and stood, following Harry out of the Great Hall as whispers rippled through the tables.

Seo Min trailed behind Harry Potter, as he led her out of the Great Hall. The corridor they stepped into was dim, the flickering torchlight throwing long shadows across the stone walls. Her footsteps echoed, too loud in the silence.

She swallowed hard, hugging her arms to her chest. "Am I in trouble?" she blurted before she could stop herself.

Harry glanced over his shoulder. "No," he said, his voice steady but kind. "Not yet."

Not yet? That didn't make her feel any better.

He stopped in the middle of the corridor and turned to face her, his green eyes piercing. Up close, Harry Potter looked... human. Sure, he had the lightning-shaped scar and the kind of presence that screamed "I saved the world," but there was also something tired in his expression, like he'd seen too much and carried it all with him.

"You're carrying the Elder Wand," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Seo Min froze. Her hand instinctively drifted to her side, where the wand rested, tucked safely away. "Uh, yeah. I kind of figured that out when Taehyung practically exploded on the train."

Harry didn't smile. "The Elder Wand isn't just a wand, Seo Min. It's one of the most dangerous magical artifacts in existence."

She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Dangerous how?"

"It's a magnet for trouble," he said bluntly. "People have killed for it. Died for it. Its power draws out greed, desperation, and obsession. If anyone finds out you have it-"

"They'll come for me," she finished quietly.

Harry nodded. "Yes. And they won't stop."

Seo Min let out a shaky breath, leaning back against the cold stone wall. "I didn't even *want* this thing," she muttered. "It's not like I asked for it to show up and ruin my life."

"No one ever does," Harry said, his voice softer now. "Believe me, I know what it's like to be chosen for something you never wanted."

She looked up at him, surprised. There was no pity in his eyes, just understanding. It was weirdly comforting, knowing that THE Harry Potter got it, even a little.

"So what am I supposed to do?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly. "Hide it forever? Pretend it doesn't exist?"

"For now, yes," Harry said. "Keep it close, but don't use it unless you absolutely have to. And don't tell anyone else about it-not even your friends. The fewer people who know, the safer you'll be."

Seo Min frowned. "Namjoon and the others already know. It's not like I can just un-tell them."

Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Then make sure they understand how serious this is. The fewer conversations you have about the wand, the better. Trust me, Seo Min. Secrets like this don't stay secrets for long."

The weight of his words settled heavily on her chest. She hated secrets. Hated the idea of carrying something this big, something that could put people in danger just by existing. But what choice did she have?

"What happens if I screw this up?" she asked quietly.

Harry's gaze softened again, but his tone stayed firm. "Then we'll figure it out. You're not alone in this, Seo Min. If you ever feel overwhelmed, or if something happens... come to me. I'll help you."

She nodded slowly, the tight knot in her chest loosening just a bit. "Okay."

Harry straightened, his expression shifting back into the calm authority of a headmaster. "Go enjoy your first night at Hogwarts. And remember-be careful."

As he walked away, Seo Min leaned against the wall, staring down at her shoes. The Elder Wand felt heavier than ever in her bag, like it was waiting for something.

With a deep breath, she pushed off the wall and headed back to the Great Hall, forcing a smile as she slipped into her seat at the Gryffindor table. Namjoon gave her a questioning look, but she just shook her head.

For now, the secret stayed hers.