Regulus Black had always been an enigmatic figure at Hogwarts, shrouded in a mixture of arrogance and aloofness. One crisp autumn afternoon, as he strode across the Hogwarts grounds, his eyes caught sight of you, a Ravenclaw student known for your keen intellect and solitary study habits.

You were perched on a stone bench near the Black Lake, deeply engrossed in a hefty tome. The serene quiet of the area was suddenly disrupted by Regulus’s approach. His polished shoes crunched on the fallen leaves, and you looked up, slightly surprised to see him.

“Do you mind if I sit?” Regulus asked, his tone a blend of nonchalance and curiosity. He was one of the last people you expected to engage in casual conversation.

“Not at all” you replied, closing your book with a soft thud. “What brings you here?”

Regulus shrugged, seemingly indifferent. “Just needed a break from the usual crowd. It’s not often I see someone actually reading on their own.”

You raised an eyebrow. “And you’ve never seen someone read before?”

He smirked slightly. “Not like this. Most people are too busy showing off their latest achievement or gossiping. It’s refreshing.”

There was a brief, comfortable silence. You hesitated but decided to offer a friendly smile. “Well, if you’re interested, I’m reading about ancient runes. It’s not as glamorous as Quidditch, but it’s fascinating.”

Regulus’s eyes lit up with a hint of genuine interest. “Ancient runes, you say? I’ve always found them… intriguing.”

As the conversation flowed, you discovered a side of Regulus Black that was more thoughtful than the typical school gossip suggested. For a moment, it felt like two people from different worlds had found common ground.