Sometimes, when everyone thinks she is too engrossed with her assignments, she observes him.

Like now, as their mutual friend distracts him with another round of chess in the middle of the common room. Behind her books, she can without judgment, ogle his lean body, his flippant movements, and his ever-changing facial expressions and no one will even notice.

She shakes her bushy head, refilled the quill she was holding, and continued to write, blush quickly fading from her cheeks.

Across the room, a pair of green eyes looked up from his chess game, and continued to watch her.