Two boys; a Slytherin and Hufflepuff, opened the door into the joke shop and gazed around in wonder. It was fun of magical wheezes and practical jokes, from snapping dentures to a tickling brush that wouldn't stop following you. They browsed the items, giggling at the possibilities. 'Look!' The Slytherin said, holding up a pair of conch shells that honked loudly, "if we put one under old Flitwick's desk he'd probably fall off his books in fright!'. They laughed at the thought but put them back down when they noticed the price.
The two were surprisingly good friends and they often talked about muggle inventions, quiddich, and generally joked around. At first they had kept separate, the Slytherin holding back because he thought no one would like him. Eventually, they bonded over escaped pixies of all things, as the Slytherin saved the Hufflepuff from nearly being set on fire multiple times. After that, they were almost inseparable.
Suddenly, a pink luminescence drew the eye of the Hufflepuff. He turned and saw a row of vials labled 'love potion'. Tugging at his friend's sleeve in exxitement he dragged him across to them and picked one up, turning it in his hands. 'Hey do you think this would work on that girl I like?' He asked, looking thoughtfully at the label.
His friend paused, scratching his head. 'I hate to break it to you but..she's Asexual..it wouldn't work' he said shaking his head sadly. He hadn't been sure how to break it to him that his crush just wasn't interested.
'Oh..i see..thanks for telling me before i made a fool of myself' he said slowly putting the bottle back. He sighed. It had just been a crush after all.
They left the shop after that and went to the tavern to sit for a while and talk over butterbeers. All the time, the Hufflepuff sat barely talking, looking down into his mug. His friend nudged him. 'Hey, you alright?' He asked in concern.
He nodded and quickly drank a large gulp to avoid having to reply, only to get a moustache of froth. His friend laughed and turned the boy's face towards him, wiping it off. Blushing slightly, the Hufflepuff turned away and wiped his own face with his sleeve. The Slytherin sighed and put his mug down. 'Enough with the sulking, you still have me!' He said in an effort to make him feel better. 'U-uh i mean-' he realised how it sounded and covered his mouth.
The Hufflepuff looked up at that, a small smile tugging his lips. 'So that's why you always get so jealous when i talk about liking other people' he said looking into his friend's eyes. He put his own mug down and turned to fully face the other.
'N-no i..well yes maybe but..' his friend stuttered, his ears turning a little pink. He had meant to keep his own crush a secret as he thought that he wouldn't be interested.
'I knew it!' The Hufflepuff smiled and grabbed his friend's hand. 'I feel the same way' he said happily.
Stunned, the Slytherin stared open-mouthed, unsure how he was supposed to react. 'But i thought you liked the girl..' was all he could manage.
He shook his head. 'Only because i thought i couldn't have you' he said quietly. He looked around quickly to see if anyone was paying them attention, then turned back to the Slytherin and leaned forward, giving him a quick kiss. His friend blushed bright red, but soon relaxed. As the Hufflepuff pulled away he leant in for another, kissing him back. 'Go out with me?' He asked.
'Yes!' The Hufflepuff nodded vigorously and laughed. Today's trip had definitely been worth it.