Frost and Shadow [Sebastian Sallow x Male MC]

Chapter 2: An Unexpected Encounter

The library of Hogwarts was a sanctuary of silence and scholarship, its towering shelves home to more books than could be read in a lifetime. Here, amidst the musty scent of parchment and ink, he found solace from the constant buzz of the school. The aisles, lined with tomes of every conceivable subject, were his refuge, a place where he could lose himself in the vast expanse of knowledge and forget, for a moment, the complexities of his new life at Hogwarts.

It was on one such afternoon, with the autumn sun casting a warm glow through the stained-glass windows, that their paths crossed. He was deep in the stacks, his fingers tracing the spines of books in search of something that could sate his thirst for arcane knowledge. That's when he saw it – an ancient tome, its cover worn and binding cracked, tucked away in a forgotten corner. Its title, "Magicks Moste Evile," whispered promises of secrets long buried.

As he reached for the book, another hand, slender and pale, extended towards the same tome. Startled, he looked up to find himself face-to-face with the mysterious boy from the Great Hall – the one who had unknowingly occupied his thoughts since the opening feast.

Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. The boy, with a slight smile playing on his lips, spoke first. "It seems we have a shared interest," he said, his voice a melodic blend of confidence and curiosity.

Introductions were made, and he learned the boy's name – Sebastian. There was an ease to their conversation, a natural rhythm that belied the fact that they had just met. Sebastian's knowledge of dark arts was both impressive and enthralling, sparking a lively discussion that ranged from ancient curses to the intricacies of potion-making.

As they talked, he felt an instant connection, a sense of kinship that he had seldom experienced. Sebastian's eyes, dark and thoughtful, seemed to see right through him, piercing the veil of his usual reserve. It was both unnerving and exhilarating, this feeling of being truly seen.

The hours slipped away as they delved deeper into their discussion, their mutual fascination with the darker aspects of magic serving as a foundation for a bond that felt as ancient as the books surrounding them. The library's usual patrons came and went, but they remained, lost in their world of whispered secrets and shared discoveries.

As the afternoon waned and the shadows grew longer, they reluctantly parted ways, the tome safely tucked under his arm. The encounter, brief as it was, left an indelible mark on him. Sebastian, with his effortless charm and keen intellect, had stirred something within him – a desire for connection, for understanding, for something he couldn't quite name.

As he made his way back to the common room, the book clutched close, he knew that this was just the beginning. There was a world of mystery and magic to explore, and he had found the perfect companion for the journey. In Sebastian, he had found not just a fellow enthusiast of the dark arts, but perhaps, a kindred spirit.