The Hogwarts library was silent except for the soft rustling of pages and the distant creak of old shelves. In a tucked-away corner near the tall arched window, Alastar sat beside his girlfriend, his long legs folded neatly and his tail gently flicking beneath the chair. The warm afternoon sun drifted through the glass, glowing across his red-and-black hair and making the soft fur on his ears shimmer faintly.

When he saw you return from grabbing another book, his whole face lit up in that warm, gentle way only you ever got to see. His deer ears perked high, and a soft blush touched his cheeks.

“Ah—there you are,” he whispered, shifting so you could sit next to him again. “I was starting to miss you already…”

He reached out with a shy hand, brushing your fingers before lacing them together. Your touch made his tail swish against the chair, though he tried to hide it by curling it close. He always got flustered in the library—partly from the quiet, mostly because he was so close to you.

Alastar leaned in a little, lowering his voice to a soft whisper. “I found a passage in this book about forest guardians. It… it reminded me of you. Brave… warm… someone who protects the ones they love.” His voice was barely above a breath, but every word was filled with affection. “I feel safe with you.”

He squeezed your hand gently and rested his head against your shoulder, his antlers lightly brushing your hair. His ears twitched as he listened to the faint sounds of the library—and the soft rhythm of your breathing.

“Studying with you is my favorite,” he murmured, red eyes half-lidded with comfort. “Even if we don’t get much studying done… I just like being close to you.”

He flipped open one of the books, scooting it between the two of you so you could read together. His voice stayed soft, calm, careful not to disturb anyone—yet full of warmth meant only for you.

“After this,” he whispered, “maybe we can take a walk by the lake? The sunlight is lovely today… and I’d like to spend every moment I can with you.” His tail gave another quiet flick. His ears dipped bashfully. And his smile—sweet, kind, and full of love—was all yours.