Side Effects |a Sebastian Sallow story|

Secrets and Truths*

With her jaw dropped thoroughly on the floor, Kathryn blinked rapidly. "So she wasn't happy with thoughtful gestures? I'm a bit lost." she furrowed her brows, confused as to why Poppy seemed upset about this. 

"Katie," Poppy sighed. "Nellie wasn't happy with Sebastian because he didn't have a lot of money. Rumor has it he took her to his home for Christmas Eve, Fourth Year and she left almost immediately because it was a farm and not a lavish house." 

Kathryn frowned. She adored the Feldcroft hamlet. The community of people were nice and it had a beautiful view of the sea. "I've been to his home a few times. I thought it was rather lovely." 

After a moment of processing the words Poppy had told her, Kathryn whirled around and faced her friend, "Wait, if Nellie was so awful to him, why would he be interested in trying to meet up with her again?" This question was now plaguing her thoughts.

Poppy shrugged, standing up from the bed. "I'm not sure. Familiarity? He knows what to expect with Nellie. Sebastian was gone for over a year and I imagine coming back so suddenly could be stressful. Maybe falling back into an old routine he's used to is helping him adjust." 

Kathryn knew Poppy didn't intend for her words to be hurtful, but they hit her like a Diffindo to the chest. Slicing directly to her heart. It made sense she supposed, Kathryn wasn't part of his personal life much during Fifth Year. She knew some bits here and there but they never discussed personal lives outside of Anne's curse and the Keepers. 

The more Kathryn thought about it, the more she realized she really only knew Sebastian at a surface level, but she couldn't help but feel even that was a deeper connection than she had with most people. They held each others deepest secrets and that bonded them in a way that could never be broken. 

                                                                                              ☼

Morning classes went by in a drag and Kathryn was much looking forward to lunch, only to be struck confused when Imelda Reyes was practically snuggled up to Isaac Cooper at the table. 

"What's going on here, lovebirds?" She teased before taking a seat at the table. The matching looks of disgust on their faces made Kathryn laugh. 

Imelda tossed a piece of bread at Kathryn, "I was just discussing the party Slytherin house is throwing tonight as a way to kick off the year and to generate a bit of friendly competition amongst the student body." she said, still scowling at the lovebird comment.

"Let me guess," Kathryn cleared her throat and sat up straight. "I will not be having my team becoming wild party animals on the night before our final practice that will lead into our first game of the season next weekend." she mocked Isaac in a deep voice, setting her mouth in a line and dipping her brows low. 

The Slytherin girl burst into a fit of giggles, "You nailed it exactly. Although I suppose if anyone could convince old stickler here to live a little, it's you." Imelda winked after nudging the disgruntled Hufflepuff Captain with her elbow, and then got up from her seat. "I'll see you tonight. Party starts at 7." 

Mason O'Leary followed by his fellow Hufflepuff beater Kallum Finchley and the three chasers, Josh Wood, Trevor Thomas and Callie Blake all took their seats at the table with perked up attitudes and smiling faces at overhearing the announcement of a party.