𝕿𝖗𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖗 - ʳᵉᵍᵘˡᵘˢ ᵇˡᵃᶜᵏ

Chapter 17: Bed-Rot, Breakup, Brother

[ December 18th, 1977 ]

     THEONA SKIPPED her last day of classes, opting to rot in bed instead. Her tear streaked makeup stayed caked on her face and her rumpled party clothes stayed stuck to her body, until she woke up Saturday morning-a day and a half post victory party-and got ready for the train ride home.

     Sebastian had agreed to spend the first few days of her winter holidays at the Potter's. He was meeting her on Platform 9 3/4, then together they'd go meet James's parents. She was nervous more than excited. The lessons her parents had given her on manners were running like scroll credits through her mind.

     She'd left packing until the last minute, which was quite unlike her, causing concern to found itself on the faces of her dorm mates.

     "She looks terrible," Sybill whispered, not so discreetly, to Pandora.

     "She was hungover all day yesterday, give her a break," Pandora urged, "plus, alcohol makes it easier for Wrackspurts to get in your ears."

     "Wrackspurts don't exist," Sybill countered, rolling her eyes, "this is why people call you Ditsy 'Dora."

     "They do too exist," Pandora argued, "Xeno has a whole article written on them that he's been trying to get the Profit to publish. I mean, come on Billie, the evidence is right here."

     Theona could see from the corner of her eye that Pandora was gesturing to her.

    "Fuzzy brain," she hissed, spinning her finger around her ear.

     "I can hear you!" Theona sang, too tired to make an effort to be mad.

     "Are you sure you're okay, Theo?" Pandora asked, coming forward to rest a hand on Theona's shoulder, "did something happen at the party?"

     Theona thought about her answer, picking and choosing which worries to voice.

     "I think Evan's going to break up with me," she admitted, throwing in the last of her clothes into her trunk.

     "I thought you two weren't that serious?" Sybill questioned, sitting on Theona's bed in front of her.

     Theona stared at Sybill, deciding immediately that the jig was up.

     "I guess there's no point keeping it a secret," Theona sighed, "our entire relationship was fake. He wanted me to help make his mysterious ex jealous, and I accepted so I'd have an excuse to spy on Slytherin."

     Sybill's jaw dropped, "I can't believe you kept this from me! This could make sense of why Reg-"

    "Billie!" She shrieked, eyes widening. She had not told Pandora about Regulus buying her candy and had no wish to.

     "Why Regulus what?" Pandora asked with a scrutinizing glare.

     "Nothing," Sybill squeaked, pressing her lips together as if trying to trap the words on her tongue. "So, he's going to break up with you, what does it matter if it was all fake?"

     Pandora gave Theona a look that said plainly, 'this conversation isn't over,' and allowed her to answer Sybill's curiosity.