𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄; ʜᴘ (𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐃)

𝟎𝟏𝟑; ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋsᴛᴇʀ

THE GREAT HALL was a tranquil haven, where students and teachers alike relished in the calm of the morning whilst tucking into their breakfast.

Though the serenity was short lived as Sephtis De la Verlac and James Potter strutted in unison, as if the world revolved around them.

"At this point it basically is."

James' smile radiating with a brilliance that could light up even the darkest of dungeons. Beside him stood Sephtis, his head held high, his eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of defiance and pride.

Their absence from the Slugclub the previous night had not gone unnoticed, and the whispers of their escapades were now confirmed as they entered the hall.

Their clothing gave them away, still adorned in the same outfits from the night before. However, their suit blazers were nowhere to be seen, and their slacks were crumpled and creased. Their silk button ups were haphazardly thrown on, with James' shirt revealing an abundance of love bites scattered across his chest and neck, like a canvas of passion.

James blushed.

Sephtis' perfectly styled curls were now a disheveled mess, and James' already unruly hair was in even more disarray, as if the events from the night and earlier before had left them breathless and wanting more.

The hall fell silent as they made their way to their seats, the stares of their fellow students and teachers burning into their skin. It was quite apparent what they had been up to on their late night rendezvous, and it was a scandal that would be the talk of Hogwarts for days to come.

As they whispered amongst themselves, a wave of murmurs rippled through the hall, growing louder with each passing moment.

Sephtis seemed to had said something that made James burst out in laughter. Eventually the pair parted ways, each heading towards their respective tables.

James sat among his group of boisterous Gryffindor friends, who greeted him with a mix of emotions, ranging from curiosity to confusion.

On the other hand, Sephtis sat alone at the far end of the Slytherin table, his eyes fixed on the food in front of him, ignoring the curious gazes of his fellow housemates.

His solitude was interrupted only by the burning stare of Regulus Black, whose sterling grey eyes seemed to be alight with a dark storm of emotions as he glared down at Sephtis.

Which is what Regulus was doing now.

The air was thick with tension, as if the slightest spark could ignite a raging inferno. The silence was only broken by the clanging of silverware on plates, as the students ate their breakfast with subdued murmurings.

As Sephtis sat alone at the end of the Slytherin table, a hushed conversation began among the students. "It seems he had some fun." Barty whispered, his tone laced with intrigue.

Evan chimed in, "No wonder he didn't come back to the dormitory."

Regulus, his eyes fixed on Sephtis, was practically seething with anger. "You alright, Regulus?" Evan asked, concern etched on his face.

"Does he look alright? The man looks like he is about to blow a fuse." Sirius muttered to himself.

"I'm fine." Regulus replied through gritted teeth, still staring daggers at Sephtis. He watched as Sephtis and James exchanged knowing looks from across the great hall, as if they shared some sort of sacred code that only they knew.