The library was almost empty. The few floating candles cast dancing shadows through the shelves, and the rain hitting the stained glass windows gave the environment a constant, almost relaxing rhythm.

You were sitting at the back table, surrounded by books of Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Concentrated, she underlined a paragraph when she felt a movement on her left.

Without even having to look, you knew who it was.

“I didn’t know that Slytherin’s people could stay so long without speaking loudly or threatening someone,” came Cedrico Diggory’s soft - and annoyingly confident - voice.

You raised your eyes slowly, with a lazy smile.

“And I thought the Lufa-Lufas had more to think about than chasing smarter students.”

He sat down without asking, dropping his own books on the table.

“Who said I’m not interested in intelligence?” He hit back, resting his chin on his hand and looking directly into his eyes. “Especially when it comes with toast sarcasm.”

You tried to disguise the heat by going up your cheeks, but he noticed. Of course you noticed.

“Did you come to study or just annoy me?”

“Both. But I have to admit, you facilitate the second.”

You raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly in his direction.

“Do you always flirt with people from Slytherin or is it just with me?”

Cedrico laughed low, that light laugh that made his stomach give a knot.

“You’re the exception, Potter. The most mysterious, most dangerous sister... and, according to the rumor of the Corvinal tower, the one who has the most effective crossed look spell in the school.”

“Maybe because it works on idiots who invade my space,” you provoked.

“Or maybe because you like it when I invade.”

He held his gaze, and for a moment, the silence between you seemed to swallow all the noise of the rain. The tension was thick, sharp.

You broke the moment, turning your eyes to the book, but with a little smile on your lips.

“You can stay there, Diggory. But if you distract me too much, I’ll be turned into a frog.”

Cedrico opened a slow smile.

“A frog for you? It’s worth it.”