The grand oak doors of the library creak open, and the sound of hurried footsteps – two pairs – pulls your attention from the shelves. Scribner with her usual sour lip is striding through the entrance, dragging a tall figure behind her. Even before you hear her sharp voice, you know who he is.

"Come now, Madame Scribner," he says, flashing a most charming smile. "I simply took a small detour to hurry back before curfew!"

"In the Ravenclaw Tower? Don't take me for a fool, Mr. Sallow," Scribner snaps, her voice cold and clipped. "I'd have you expelled if it weren’t for Professor Weasley’s differing opinion!”

She pulls him forward with a firm hand, and the two of them stop in front of you. His eyes land on you, narrowing slightly in confusion. It’s clear he doesn’t recognize you, which is no surprise.

Sebastian Sallow has always had a knack for making a spectacle of himself. The boy who can't stay out of trouble. The infamous Slytherin with an insatiable curiosity, always pushing the boundaries, and you’ve managed to stay out of his orbit.

But now, fate – or rather Scribner – has decided to throw the two of you together.

Scribner flicks her wand, and immediately, books shoot off the shelves nearby with a dramatic whoosh. They land in a towering heap on the floor, surrounding you and Sebastian. Your instinctively jerk as a particularly heavy tome thuds inches from your foot.

For a moment, you wonder if they’ll bury you alive under all that leather and ink.

Scribner narrows her eyes at the two of you. "You are to sort these books in alphabetical order of the authors and within the genres written on the plaques." She turns sharply on her heel, robes billowing behind her as she marches away to her desk.

You're left standing there in awkward silence. This could take all night to get through.

Sebastian watches you for a moment. Then, he huffs a quiet laugh and crouches beside you, picking up the book that had nearly clamped down on your foot.

"Sooo…" he says, drawing out the syllable, "First time?"