I place the final manuscript on the shelf, feeling the smooth thud of the leather-bound book against the others. Defense Against the Dark Arts: Advanced Theories and Spells. Another piece of the library puzzle complete, another layer of knowledge for the students who might one day walk these halls.
I step back, brushing dust from my hands, and glance up.
Rowena is entering the library. Just her, quiet and graceful, as if the books themselves part for her.
And my stomach does that stupid, familiar flip. I know exactly what it is now. No doubt, no confusion. I'm a lesbian, and I've been crushing on her — or at least developing feelings I've never had to confront before.
My face heats up. I duck behind a stack of books for a second, trying to calm myself, and when I finally step forward, I force my usual cheerful, little-sister demeanor. I'm Seraphina Silverwind, genius, prodigy, Architect of Legends, and still somehow trying not to look like a lovesick teenager in front of Rowena.
"Hey," I say brightly, voice a little higher than usual. "How's your morning been?"
She looks up, a soft smile playing across her lips. "Busy," she admits, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But quiet here. Perfect for catching up."
I nod, moving closer to the table where she's sitting. "I just finished…uh…organizing some of the new material. Thought you might like to take a look." I gesture vaguely at the shelves, trying to sound casual. My heart is hammering anyway.
Rowena tilts her head, studying me. "You've been on a roll lately. I don't even know how you do it, Sera. One moment, you're finishing transfiguration experiments, the next you've written a whole new book on defensive magic."
I shrug, trying not to fidget. "Well, someone has to keep busy while the rest of you…uh, move staircases and make the castle drunk."
She laughs softly. That sound sends another shiver through me, and I hastily look down at my hands. "Anyway," I continue, "I thought…maybe you'd like to help me test some of the spells in here later? You know, just…practice."
Rowena's smile widens slightly. "I'd love that."
For a moment, we just stand there, her gaze soft and steady on me, and I try to remember to act like myself — like the little sister she's used to teasing. But inside, my thoughts are chaotic. Every part of me wants to reach out, to brush her hair behind her ear, to tell her exactly how I feel.
I clear my throat, forcing a grin. "Great! Let's…start with the basics first. I wouldn't want you getting blown across the library by one of my fire spells."
She chuckles, settling down at the table. "I'll survive. Probably."
And as I sit across from her, pretending to correct minor magical theory mistakes in my own notes just to prolong the moment, I realize one thing with crystal clarity:
I don't just want to be her friend. I want to be closer. Much closer.
But for now, I'll just be the little sister, the apprentice, the genius who can tame golems and towers and chaos — quietly falling for the most beautiful witch I've ever met.