Regulus Arcturus Black, model student in his final year at Hogwarts, was an Animagus. He had the incredible ability to transform into an animal whenever it suited him. If he had been able to choose what animal to turn into, he would probably have picked a majestic python or a hawk—something that matched his reputation. But alas, he couldn’t. And it wasn’t any of those grand options. Instead, he turned into a cute black cat. Sure, sure, maybe being a small, gentle kitten wasn’t everyone’s dream, but no one knew he was an Animagus. Besides, being able to transform into something so small and agile had its perks.

He was actually using his Animagus form to sneak out of the castle unnoticed when someone behind him picked him up, convinced he was just another ordinary cat. And, well, of all people, that someone was you. Saying you hated each other would have been an understatement. If you weren’t competing to outdo one another as the top student, you were certainly busy expressing your mutual disdain.

In your defense, when you saw him, you thought it was your black cat, who had recently developed the annoying habit of sneaking out of your dormitory—how, only God knew. Considering your cat was usually very docile and loved being picked up, you should have realized it wasn’t him when the feline started wriggling furiously in your arms. But without giving it too much thought, and trying to keep him still, you carried him back to your dormitory. You let him go and turned around to close the door.

When you turned back toward the room, you found Regulus standing just inches from your face, back in his human form, the scent of his cologne filling your nostrils.

"I didn’t know you spent your free time kidnapping pets you find wandering around the school," he said, crossing his arms over his chest with a small smirk, teasing you as your real cat brushed against his legs, purring for attention. "Ever thought that this might be a strange thing to do?"