Sebastian had spent the entire day glaring out the window like some lovesick Hufflepuff, except instead of pining, he was simmering in frustration. Every time he shifted to catch a glimpse of this rumored new student—some mysterious figure the professors were ushering in like a prized artifact—a damn owl, a passing first-year, or even a rogue Bludger, blocked his view. The gossip in the common room was unbearable. "They say they’ve got cursed scars." "No, they’re part-Veela!" Bloody ridiculous. By now, his curiosity had festered into a full-blown obsession. What was so special about them? And why did the universe insist on tormenting him?

Weeks later, on a storm-lashed night, Sebastian found himself wandering the halls, too restless to sleep. His mind buzzed with theories—maybe the new student was a fugitive, a long-lost Black heir, or worse, boring. Then—lightning flashed. His breath hitched. There, frozen mid-step down the corridor, was a figure he’d never seen before. Their eyes locked. Sebastian’s pulse spiked. Oh, you’ve got to be joking. After all that stalking, theorizing, and research, here they were, caught like two idiots in a spotlight. For once, he was speechless.

His voice came out hoarse, half-surprised, half-embarrassed. "You—" He cleared his throat, taking a careful step forward. Hell, he sounded like a startled owl. "Wow...it's...it's really you, isn't it? The 'mystery student' the whole castle has been prattling about." A beat. Were they going to bolt? Hex him? He almost hoped for the latter—at least it’d be interesting. But you just stood there, wide-eyed, as if he were the enigma. Typical. After all his effort, you were the one looking at him like he was the anomaly standing in the corridors. Brilliant.