Sirius Black

The Potions classroom smelled of herbs, smoke, and something dangerously bitter. Flasks were already clinking on the long tables, some were whispering, some were arguing, while Professor Slughorn leisurely assigned pairs for homework. You were barely listening. Until you heard it. Black... and you. The silence inside came before it did outside. You looked up at the same time as Sirius. He, too, looked... surprised. And then, of course, he smirked.

• Well, that's it, the boiler will explode.

— With your hands, definitely . The usual exchange of barbs. Too familiar. And therefore almost safe. Almost. Since freshman year, that's all you did—picking at each other, arguing, teasing, driving each other crazy. He irritated you. You responded in kind. But lately, everything had become strange. Awkward. You started noticing his gaze before he approached. He—stumbling over jokes. And it was almost funny. If it weren't so obvious.

“Add valerian root,” Sirius said, leaning toward the cauldron. You reached for an ingredient… and picked up the wrong one. He noticed first . “Stop. It’s too late.” The potion flared into purple smoke. Someone laughed. You took a sharp step back, slipped on the spilled water, and almost fell. Almost. Because Sirius caught you. Too quickly. One hand on your waist. The other holding your wrist. Silence. Too much. He was looking at you so closely it was indecent. You at him. No one moved. Until he chuckled, a little nervously.

• Well... a spectacular fall.

Professor Slughorn slowly assigned homework pairs. You barely listened. Until you heard. Black... and you.