Forbidden Request

Chapter Four: The Charm Of Apologies

The leaves had continued to turn a rich shade of amber, and the crisp autumn air at Hogwarts was invigorating. After several weeks of attending classes with Poppy and becoming more acquainted with Eleanor, I had started to find my footing.

Despite the hustle and bustle of Hogwarts, I had frequently seen a certain dark-haired student around the castle—his confident stride and striking presence always catching my eye. However, we hadn't had another chance to speak, and I had no idea who he was until today.

The library was its usual sanctuary, filled with the soft rustle of pages and the occasional shuffling of feet from those who knew about it. I found a spot at a large table near the window i became so fond of, unpacked my books, and began to study. The tranquility was a welcome respite from the social whirlwind.

A short while into my study session, I heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. Looking up, I saw the same dark-haired student walking toward me with a deliberate stride, his earlier confidence now mixed with a hint of unease. He stopped in front of me, his expression more serious than I had seen before.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his tone friendly but carrying an undercurrent of apology.

I was surprised but gestured for him to sit. "Sure. You're welcome to."

He took a seat across from me, his usual charm subdued by a more serious expression. "I wanted to apologize for our previous encounters. I realize I might have come off as a bit rude, and that wasn't my intention at all."

I looked at him, finger tracing my bottom lip trying to recall our earlier interactions. "I remember you being quiet, but I didn't think you were rude."

He seemed relieved by my response. "Well, I was having a rough day and didn't handle it well. I should have been more considerate."

I nodded, appreciating his honesty, a warm smile spreading across my lips "It's alright. We all have those days."

With a slight smirk in return, he leaned in. "By the way, I don't think we've properly met. I'm Sebastian Sallow."

I blinked, realizing this was the first time he'd introduced himself. "I'm Jude Atlow. Nice to meet you, Sebastian."

Sebastian's smile widened, and a playful glint appeared in his eyes. "Nice to officially meet you, Atlow. I've heard a bit about you around the castle."

"Really?" I asked, intrigued. "What have you heard?"

"Just that you're the new Hufflepuff making her way through Hogwarts," he said with a light chuckle. "I thought I should come over and introduce myself properly."

Our conversation flowed easily, and I found Sebastian's charm hard to resist. His playful humor and engaging manner made the interaction enjoyable, and he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. The flirtatious undertones were present but balanced with a sincerity that made our exchange feel genuine.

"So," Sebastian asked, leaning back in his chair and lazing his arms behind his head, "what brings you to the library on such a fine day?"

"I needed to catch up on some reading," I said, gesturing to the books spread out before me. "And it's nice and quiet here."

Sebastian nodded thoughtfully. "I can see why you'd choose this spot. Sometimes, finding a peaceful place is exactly what you need."

As the library started to fill up with other students, Sebastian glanced at his watch and stood up. "I should probably let you get back to your studying. But I'm glad we had this chance to talk."

I smiled, feeling a sense of warmth from our interaction. "It was nice talking with you, Sebastian. I'm glad you came over."

He gave me a playful wink, a glimmer of his usual charm returning. "Same here. I'll see you around, Atlow."