Hogwarts Champion // Triwizard Tournament

XVIII

SECRET MOMENTS IN THE LIBRARY

***

Sebastian and I returned to the castle after our tea, the brisk winter air nipping at our noses as we made our way through the Hogwarts grounds. As we made our way back to the castle, the hush of the empty corridors invited a sense of liberation. Sebastian's demeanor shifted, shedding the weight of the world as he rediscovered a carefree spirit.

"This feels so... freeing," Sebastian remarked, a grin spreading across his face.

I chuckled, feeling the tension in my muscles ease. "Yeah, it's like we have the whole castle to ourselves."

Sebastian nodded enthusiastically, his eyes alight with mischief. "Let's make the most of it!"

With each step, our laughter bounced off the walls, echoing through the deserted halls. Sebastian dashed ahead, his footsteps echoing in the empty space. I followed suit, matching his pace and enthusiasm.

As we reached the grand staircase, Sebastian glanced back at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Watch this!" he exclaimed before launching himself onto the banister and sliding down recklessly.

I couldn't help but laugh at his audacity, the sound ringing through the large open space. "You're going to hurt yourself," I called after him, but my words were lost in Sebastian's cheering.

We found ourselves in central hall, its grandeur echoing our footsteps. Sebastian cupped his hands around his mouth and let out a resounding whoop, his voice reverberating off the walls.

"Your turn, Snow!" he exclaimed, a playful glint in his eyes.

I hesitated, feeling a twinge of self-consciousness. The hall seemed too vast, too grand, for my timid voice to fill. But Sebastian's encouraging grin urged me on, his infectious enthusiasm contagious.

Taking a deep breath, I tentatively cupped my hands around my mouth and let out a feeble attempt at a whoop. To my surprise, the sound bounced off the walls, amplified by the cavernous space of the hall.

Sebastian laughed, clapping me on the back. "Not bad, Snow! Louder!"

Emboldened by his encouragement, I tried again, this time with more gusto. My voice soared through the hall, mingling with Sebastian's laughter in a symphony of joyous noise.

Sebastian cheered enthusiastically at my last attempt, his laughter ringing out alongside mine in the cavernous hall. With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he couldn't resist making a playful jab.

"Almost as good as mine, Snow," he teased, flashing a grin before darting away.

I shot him a mock glare, my competitive spirit rising to the challenge. "Oh, please! You just got lucky," I retorted, a smirk playing on my lips.

He laughed, glancing back at me over his shoulder. "Luck had nothing to do with it, Snow. It's all about skill," he countered, his tone playful yet confident.

With a determined huff, I picked up my pace, closing in on him as we raced through the empty corridors. "We'll see about that!" I called out, a hint of laughter in my voice.

Sebastian flashed me a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You'll have to catch me first!"

And with that, the chase was on, our laughter echoing through the halls as we raced side by side, each determined to outdo the other in this impromptu game of tag. He dashed into the library, disappearing among the labyrinthine bookshelves, his footsteps echoing faintly through the quiet aisles. I followed closely behind, navigating through the maze of towering shelves, my breath growing labored with each step.