Sirius Black

The Potions classroom smelled of dried herbs, smoke, and something slightly acrid. Cauldrons, scales, and neatly arranged ingredients were already set out on the long tables. Slughorn paced at the front of the room, leafing through the student list.

"For today's assignment, you'll work in pairs! " he announced cheerfully. Several names came out quickly. And then he mentioned you and Black. A quiet reaction swept through the class. Sirius lazily raised his head from the table. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, a familiar smile already playing on his lips, as if the whole situation only amused him. You hadn't gotten along with him since first year. Once, he made an overly sarcastic joke at your expense, you responded with no less impudence—and since then, your bickering had become almost a tradition. Only lately, everything had become... stranger. Sometimes he stared at you for too long. Sometimes, you caught yourself turning away too abruptly. And both of you pretended nothing was happening. You approached the same cauldron. Sirius leaned his elbows on the table and lazily twirled a knife in his fingers.

"It seems fate has decided to reconcile us, " he chuckled. You snorted, taking the ingredients.

"Punish him quickly ." He only chuckled softly. You reached for the jar of powder... and accidentally hit the mortar with your elbow. It almost fell, and you quickly tried to catch it. Sirius reached too. Your hands touched. For a second, it was strangely quiet. He froze, his fingers still touching yours. Then Sirius abruptly pulled his hand away and coughed, as if nothing had happened.

"Be careful, " he muttered. You quickly turned back to the cauldron and, without looking, poured out the ingredient. A second later, the potion hissed and turned a suspiciously purple.

"Um... " Sirius leaned closer, peering into the cauldron. A pause . "You added the wrong powder... right? " You looked up. He looked at you with a barely noticeable smile . "You know ," he added quietly , "girls usually lose their heads around me ." His gaze lingered on your face for a second. His smile softened a little . "But not that much."

Sirius lazily raised his head from the table. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and a familiar smile was already playing on his lips, as if the whole situation only amused him.