Chapter 1
An Impromptu Get-away
Liam wasn't in the best of moods today.
Usually, he was a carefree guy, always smiling, flirting, and laughing. He was a dangerous mix of Fred and George, Bill, and Draco. He was seldom seen brooding; that was a trait reserved for Sebastian, his brother. He wasn't one to worry too much, too.
However, today as he crosses the spacious living room of his two-bedroom flat, he clearly has a lot to worry and brood for.
His dreadful day started with Elise, his twin sister, going to labor that morning. He wanted to sock Anthony when he heard Elise screaming bloody murder inside the bedroom. Everyone had gathered in Anthony and Elise's living room. He was the first to arrive, followed by his Mum and Dad, and Ariadne, who was his medi-witch sister, had not put up silencing wards yet.
He was mortified at how much in pain Elise sounded. Old, protective habits kicked up and he strode towards the bedroom door, ready to destroy Anthony's life; he even forgot about his injured right arm. He threw open the door, oblivious to the shouts of warning from his Mum and Dad, and saw Elise's...well, let's just say he won't be asking how kids are delivered into the world anymore.
He had stood there, for a few stunned seconds, until Anthony pushed him out of the room and slammed the door. His mum didn't look too happy about that and smacked the back of his head strongly.
His dad suggested he got out of there first; Elise clearly wasn't pleased with his attempt at brotherly concern and was screaming her head off with colorful swears and curses directed at him.
Liam somehow found himself home, desperate to take that horrid scene out of his mind. So he went to the training pitch where he was handed a piece of paper that told him he won't be playing this season.
Back at his house, he flicked his wand and his bedroom door opened. Another flick and his closet doors flung open, letting loose a parade of clothes that neatly tucked themselves in a suitcase.
The coach had recommended a break. Maybe it's best to go on a vacation now, while his arm heals. He thought the whole thing ridiculous. His sister was a medi-witch; he can easily have any broken bones mended. But the problem was not that. The problem was he had a yet-unnamed enemy who was sabotaging his broom, the Snitch, his uniform, his life.
He's suffered a lot of injuries because of these 'pranks.' And unless the perpetrator is caught, the coach wanted him to lay low for a while. It was that or have some sort of protective amulet to keep him from being harmed.
Protective amulets were archaic. Nobody knows where to get a real one. People tried to come up with spells and charms to mimic a protective amulet's effects, but nobody was successful. Besides, some who used such spells and charms on them tended to add play-enhancing effects. The Department of Magical Games had decided to control such actions, limiting the spells and charms that can be cast to players to warming spells and charmed goggles.
So, short of finding a real amulet, Liam decided to heed his coach's advice.
Without a word to anyone he knew-the family should all still be at Elise's anyway-he Apparated out of his flat, went to the International Portkey Port, and grabbed the first Portkey out of London.
Everybody was squinting.
That was the first thing that Liam noticed. The second thing was that they weren't really squinting; their eyes were almond-shaped.
He was somewhere in Asia, he noted. Japan? China? But a sign was blinking straight ahead: Welcome to Seoul! It said, letters flickering to change into another language.
Seoul? Oh, so he was in Korea.
This was nice. He had heard of South Korea's Magical community. It was pretty small; only about a hundred were Magical and mostly, they lived Muggle style.
This was nice.
He followed another flickering sign that pointed to an exit. When he got outside the swiveling doors, he saw that he was at a strip mall of some sort. There were a lot of shops, and people were milling around him. Liam looked back, noting that the opening he came out of was supposed to be a salon; though curiously, he didn't remember seeing any haircut stations, or any of that sort, inside.
He spotted a small bench and strode towards it. Sighing thankfully, he began to feel everything settle in as he sat.
He was in South Korea. He didn't know anyone from here; well, except one of his teammates, Ho-gun, but he's as British as they come.
Liam thought about what he's going to do. He can't understand their language, so the first thing was to buy a travel guide. Finding a bookstore shouldn't be a hard thing to do. That is if he can find an open bookstore at what his magical watch say to be 10 p.m.
It was dark out, but neon lights were everywhere, pointing to shops, pubs, and other establishments. Somehow, he didn't think one of them was a bookstore.
'Well, no sense in sitting here, trying to guess what store is a what.' Liam sighed again. He stood up, wincing when he accidentally stretched his right arm. He silently cursed the damned arsehole that was ruining his life. The jealous bastard should show his face and fight fair, not secretly sabotage his equipment.
Suddenly, he saw a girl carrying a stack of books, just a few feet from where he was. Great! She must have been from or going to a bookstore. Liam followed her, noting how easily she wove through the crowds despite the stack.
Liam did his customary woman-appraisal. She was of medium-build, coming up to his nose. She wasn't thin, but slender. She had long, black hair. It was a little wavy, like she'd just brushed it once and then let it air-dry. He hadn't seen her face yet, just the profile. So he saved the rest of his appraisal for later, when he talked to her.
They were rounding a bend now, and entered an alley that introduced more shops. But the alley was much quieter. There were three other people besides them. The shops didn't have neon signs. It looked like the novelties section of the strip mall.
Deciding that this was the time to ask the girl, he cleared his throat and said "Wait!"
She stopped walking, inclining her head on the side. Then she whirled around.
Liam, who was about to say something, stood stunned for a while.
"Wow," he breathed. "She's beautiful."
The girl was smiling at him, dimples and all. She was looking expectantly at him, waiting for him to speak. Her face had those almond-shaped eyes that were a little bigger than most people's, a small nose, pink lips that were neither too thin nor too pouty. Her face looked fresh and natural. She wasn't even wearing make-up. The girl looked very innocent, too.
Liam was gaping.
When he realized what he was doing, he shook his head slightly, mentally scolding himself. Then he spoke.
"Err...do you happen to know a bookstore?"
The girl didn't speak; she just stood there and continued to smile at him.
'Oh right!' Liam mentally face-palmed himself. 'She's Korean.'
Aloud, he tried again. He gestured at the books she was holding. "Uh, books," he tried. The girl was still smiling.
'Next time I flee the country, I'll make sure I go where everyone understands me,' he thought.
He stepped near the girl and touched the book on the top of the stack. "Books," he said. "I want to buy a book."
Liam felt stupid. The girl was just watching him with a smile. Should he just leave?
Deflated, he smiled small at the girl, and said, "Never mind. Thanks, anyways."
He started to turn around, but the girl spoke.
"I understand you," she said in clear, accented English.
Liam whirled to face her, irritated, yet relieved. He stepped forward again and said, "Really? Then would you know where I can find a bookstore?"
The girl just smiled, and for a moment Liam thought he just imagined her speaking earlier. But she nodded and turned around indicating that he should follow her.
They walked for a few minutes in silence. Liam wasn't sure what to say to a girl who obviously delighted at his discomfort earlier. The girl seemed fine walking in silence, so he didn't say anything.
Then she stopped, looking at him. She pointed to a glass window and Liam saw a shop with books inside. The girl smiled again and went inside, single-handedly opening the door despite her stack of books. Liam followed.
The girl was heading towards the counter, and looked as if she was returning the books. Liam realized the shop was a library as well. He quickly spotted guide maps by the entrance. Picking one with the most promising title-"Touring Seoul in One Week"-he went over the counter, too.
And realized he had no Korean money with him.
Liam was now sure that scooting out of a country without proper plans is a very bad plan indeed. The guy at the counter was looking at him expectantly, while the girl was smiling again. She looked like she knew his dilemma and for a while he thought she might know his true identity.
But that was the least of his problems now. He did not know where to exchange his Galleons to Muggle money, let alone to Korean currency.
"You don't need to buy that book, you know," the girl suddenly said.
He turned to face her. "What?"
She flashed her now-familiar smile, and he could have sworn that the guy at the counter sighed.
"I can be your guide here in Korea," she said.
Liam gaped at her. There were several things going through his head that he wasn't able to answer her immediately. He shouldn't trust a girl, who had pretended not to understand him at first. But there was something about her that triggered his curiosity. She wasn't exactly his type; he wanted girls who lived the high life like he does. She was wearing a simple white dress, a grey cardigan, and nude flats. She was a simple, innocent looking girl. Yet somehow, there was a twinkle in her eyes that adds a hint of mischief about her.
He was being paranoid. All that shady business of harming him while playing Quidditch had turned him into a wuss. He used to be fun and carefree, taking on what life gives him and twisting it around so he can have fun with it. But ever since Elise and Anthony, his partners-in-crime, married each other, Liam was left alone to play by himself.
So he nodded.
The girl smiled wider this time, and Liam found himself smiling back.
When they emerged from the bookstore, the girl turned to him, smiling expectedly. Once again, Liam thought her very innocent.
"Erm...do you know a nearby hotel?" He asked.
She nodded. "But do you have Korean won with you?"
"Oh," Liam said, momentarily feeling stupid. "Err...no."
Then he realized that he didn't have euros with him either. How will he find a money changer for his galleons?
The girl smiled again, mysteriously this time. Liam suddenly felt nervous.
"I know what you are," the girl said. "You're a wizard, aren't you?"
The statement made Liam's jaw drop in surprise. She knew?
"H-how...?" Liam stammered.
Her smile softened. "Your aura is different. It's more dynamic than a normal person's."
Liam eyed her quietly. Then, is she also magical like him?
He decided that quietly wondering if she was wouldn't work, so he asked her.
"Are you like me?"
She shook her head. "No. But I'm not a normal person either."
See? For all he knew she could be a killer hired by his maniacal friend. They could have anticipated his every move, knowing that he'll be pissed enough to get out of the country and flee to...South Korea?
'Really, Liam? They'd know that you'd see your sister in that horrid position, and read your mind correctly that they'd guess that the first Portkey out of London at that specific time is a Portkey to South Korea?' His head chided.
'Well, it's possible!' He countered. 'That bastard might as well be Voldemort himself with the way he's so bent on destroying my career.'
'Well, if he were Voldemort, I'm sure you'll be the least of his problems. Now, you ridiculous psycho, are you going to answer this pretty lady or not?'
Liam glanced at the girl, who had been smiling all the time. He wanted to take her up on her offer, but really, saying that she wasn't a normal person meant so many things.
'Where is your impulsive self?' His head questioned. 'You were always one to agree to anything and think about it later, weren't you?'
Deciding that it's more important to have a place to sleep in that night rather than worry about nonsensical things that he's not even sure exist, he asked, "Where can I exchange my galleons for Korean won?"
"I know a place. But it's a bit far from here. We have to cross the park to the other side of the neighborhood." She replied.
"Alright, lead the way then." Liam said, smiling hesitantly at her.
They have been walking for at least 10 minutes now, with no one talking. Liam, who was walking a few steps behind her, watched her with interest. She walked with unnatural grace.
He realized he didn't even know what her name was.
"Err...excuse me, but what's your name?"
The girl looked back at him, her trademark smile on her face. "Cha Su-ri."
"Cha Su-ri?" Liam repeated.
"Yes. My first name is Su-ri, and my last name is Cha."
"Oh, I'm Liam. Liam Malfoy."
"Liam," she said, as if rolling it around her tongue. "That's a nice name."
"Thanks," Liam said. "So...do you live near here?"
"No," she answered. "I'm from Pyeongchang-dong, a district here in Seoul."
"Is that far from here?"
"Not for me. I'm used to walking from there to Myeong-dong; that's where we came from earlier."
"Oh." Liam found himself at a loss for questions. It was not because he ran out of them, but because he was so full of them he didn't know what to ask next.
"You're not American, are you?" She asked.
"Oh, no. I'm English."
"English? Then you're from London?"
"Magical London."
She smiled. "Of course."
He smiled back.
"What are you doing here in Korea?" She said.
They were entering a park now, which was well-lit. There were few people in it. A couple was sitting on a bench, taking photos of themselves in their couple t-shirts. Liam thought that people back home won't ever be caught wearing those. A group of five girls, wearing brightly colored shirts and leggings were giggling to themselves. A guy was walking a dog. Liam found himself enjoying the walk.
"A vacation. I'm here for a vacation. Things got, well, a bit stressful back in London, so I got out of there." Liam smirked to himself.
"Does your family know you're here? You seem like you weren't that ready for a trip."
Again, Liam was surprised at how perceptive she was.
"Well, no. They don't. They're probably still clueless right now. My twin sister just gave birth this morning," Liam said, realizing that he didn't even know if he had a niece or a nephew. That somehow made him feel a bit sad. "My family is still celebrating, I think."
"Why aren't you there?"
Liam was asking himself the same thing.
Su-ri was waiting for him to answer as they walked through the park. They were in the deeper part of the park now, and trees were taller and thicker. It was also darker there.
"I.." Liam said, wondering whether or not to tell her. "Well, I've got this thing at...at work. It's a bit serious, you know. My...my boss wanted me to take a few days off, for...safety reasons."
Su-ri cocked her head on one side. "Safety reasons?"
"My job isn't the safest job in the world, although that hasn't stopped other people from wanting it for themselves, or adding to the danger to keep me off it." Liam explained.
Su-ri smiled at him. "My dad's job isn't the safest, too. And people still wants his job like some people like yours."
At that teeny bit of information from her, he perked up. "Really? What does your dad do?"
She smiled. "He's an action star."
Liam stared at her, and then started to laugh. "An action star?"
"Why are you laughing?" She asked, sounding a little annoyed.
"Are you really telling me that you're a daughter of an action star?" Liam chuckled.
"Yes! I can take you to our house right now, if you like." She said.
Liam waved his hand dismissively. "No. No need for that," he grinned at her, noticing that she wasn't smiling anymore, yet she still looked beautiful. "I believe you."
"No, you don't."
"I do."
She rolled her eyes at him. He was suddenly surprised at how much fun he was having just by talking to her. When was the last time he'd done that? Having fun with a fully-clothed girl that wasn't one of his family, adopted or not?
"Whatever you say. Anyway, here we are." She gestured with her hand.
He didn't realize that they were out of the woody park now, standing in front of a street that was lit by a dingy street lamp. It was so different from the lively and neon lights-infested area they had originally came from.
No one was in sight. It looked like some alley where gangs are supposed to have fights every night. The walls were splattered with graffiti. Liam was half expecting two groups of rowdy boys to appear by now, bearing whatever it was that Muggle gang members bring when they have brawls.
'See! I told you. That girl brought you here on purpose. So she can beat the crap out of you. And then you won't be able to see your family again. You won't even know Elise's child. You won't find out if they named the baby Caleb or Kalin. You won't be able to play anymore...'
"We have to cross the street."
Liam reacted instinctively when he heard the voice. He was pointing his wand at her in minutes, and she was staring blankly at him.
"What are you doing?"
She was looking curiously at his wand, and Liam instantly felt like a fool again.
"Erm..."
"Is that a wand?"
"Erm..."
"I've seen one of those, you know. My dad's friend is a witch and she has one. But you must tell me all about your wand later. We have to get you a room first."
Liam was sure that he was blushing, and he silently thanked the lone streetlight because it won't be as noticeable. Surely she realized just how nefarious she sounded?
But it looked like she didn't. She was now floating-for that was the best way he can describe her gait-towards a building.
He scrambled to keep up with her. It seemed that with this girl, he was forever embarrassing himself. What is she, really?
By any chance, is she a veela?
Yes, that has to be it. Her unusual beauty, the way she walks-floats-around, how she seemed to pull him towards her. It all makes sense now. How could he have not thought of this sooner?
His Aunt Fleur is a veela. But because she was a. relative, he did not really feel her pull. The only other time he encountered a veela was when he was in France, where the veela blood seemed to be widespread.
How odd that she's a Korean veela.
She was waiting for him when he caught up with her. Su-ri was standing in front of a door bearing the sign: 'MONEY CHANGER." There were different currency signs beneath it.
Su-ri smiled. "My dad's friend, Jae-young imo, once took me here. They change every currency. Even your magical money."
Liam looked at her and said, "Does he know how to speak English?"
"Oh, he doesn't speak. You just show the money and he'll change it for you."
They entered the shop which housed a long bench on one side and a teller's window that was currently empty.
"I don't think someone's here." Liam said, looking at the window.
Su-ri went over the window, tapping it softly. "Ahjussi." She called. "Ahjussi."
A man appeared out of nowhere and Liam took a step back in surprise. The man was tall, he was almost touching the ceiling of his booth. The way the man stared at Su-ri was like Moody staring at a criminal. Liam quickly walked over, hand subtly getting ready to grab his wand.
But Su-ri was smiling sweetly at the man. Liam wasn't sure if she needed his help or he needed hers.
She was speaking again, if it was in Korean, Liam wasn't sure. The man looked like he was from another planet and Su-ri looked like she can speak any language.
And then she turned to Liam. "You can give him your money now." She said.
"Err...how do I know if he'll change it to the right amount?" He asked skeptically.
Su-ri's eyebrows shot up, an interesting change from her usually smiling expression.
"Don't say that!" She admonished. "He might get angry and decide not to change your money."
"He can't understand me!" Liam argued. They were whispering sharply at each other, but Liam did not know why.
"Of course he can!" Su-ri said. "He can feel your hesitation."
"What? Is he Magic, too?" Liam asked.
Su-ri pursed her lips. "Just give him your money so we can change it and find you a hotel."
Liam stared at her for a while, before shaking his head and stepping forward. He took the pouch of Galleons from his coat. He dumped it ceremoniously on the counter, glaring at the hulking man, as if daring him to cheat.
The man looked at him briefly, as if he weren't worthy of interest, and grabbed his pouch. He turned and pressed what looked like a door. He disappeared behind it. Liam took the chance to look around again, getting a feel of the place. He couldn't feel any magical currents anywhere. Except his, of course.
Which meant that neither the man nor Su-ri was magical. Which meant Su-ri wasn't a veela. Which meant Liam was back to square one on the Figure Out Mysterious Korean Woman game.
He sighed. He shouldn't be interested. He was wasting precious brain cells on an insignificant thing. He was supposed to be on vacation, and vacation does not mean figuring out strange Korean women no matter how beautiful they are.
The big man came out from the door and dumped a brown paper bag in front of Liam. The man was staring at him now, daring him to check if he cheated.
Realizing that he did not know the currency exchange rate, and frankly he really doesn't care, Liam snatched the paper bag and tucked it in his coat's pocket.
He smirked.
Su-ri frowned at him before turning to the man. "Kamsa-hamnida, ahjussi."
Liam grabbed her hand and dragged her out before she can finish her bow.
Outside, he lets go of her hand.
"Wah," Su-ri said, glaring at him. "You sure are rude!"
Liam faced her, raising one of his eyebrows at her. He must have heard her wrong. No one calls him rude outside of his family. And even then, the last time he was called 'rude' was when Anthony offered to marry Elise and he had walked out on him.
"Rude?" Liam repeated, just in case he heard her wrong.
"Neh!" Su-ri snapped. "Nappun namja!"
"What?" Liam said. "Fight fair. If you're going to call me names, at least call me names in a language I can understand."
She narrowed her eyes at him, and a sudden current of energy was felt in the air. It wasn't magic, Liam was sure. Magic currents were much thicker and heavier. This one was like air: light and swift. Liam can actually feel the temperature shift.
"Well, now that you have your money, I guess you can take it from here." She snapped again. She then stomped off to cross the street. What? She was leaving him?
Suddenly aware that he was being ditched at a sidewalk in the middle of nowhere, he followed her.
'She really moves quickly.' He thought, remembering his earlier guess that she was a Veela. 'If she's not a Veela, that what is she? I definitely felt something from her earlier.'
He mulled over this thought, then suddenly he felt movement on his left, heard Su-ri scream at him, and saw a light before blacking out.
Su-ri was stewing at just how rude this Englishman was to the money changer ahjussi. She thought he was cute and interesting; she'd never met any foreigners before, aside from Granduncle Doo-hong's Chinese friend.
She was glad that she got to practice her English and use it in a real conversation. Her mother's friend, Dong-joo samchun had been teaching it to her since she was in elementary, much to the chagrin of her dad. He always claims that he does not like Dong-joo samchun, but they always team up whenever Jae-young imo goes into one of her 'crazy ideas.'
Suddenly, she felt something coming. She whirled around, seeing Liam deep in thought, not noticing the car that was speeding to where he was standing.
"Liam!" She screamed. But she was too late. Liam whipped his head to the side, in time to see the car rushing towards him, but did not have enough time to move out of the way and he was hit by the car.
"Liam!"
AN: For those who haven't realized, I took some of the characters from "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho" which is a Korean drama that I love. Hope you guys liked it.
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter-related things is property of J.K. Rowling. All My Girlfriend is a Gumiho is a property of the Hong Sister and SBS Korea.
