Side Effects |a Sebastian Sallow story|

Veritaserum

Walking into Charms class ten minutes late was not nearly as embarrassing as the expression Imelda was giving Kathryn from beside her, the mortification only escalating when Sebastian sauntered into class only five minutes later, sending a wink her way before taking a seat next to Ominis. 

Kathryn swallowed at the interaction before digging her quill into the parchment in an effort to catch up on the notes for the lesson that started without her. Imelda put her elbow on the table before leaning onto her hand in a subtle way to whisper into Kathryn's ear. 

"Now why would Sallow be strutting into class not far behind you and then wink in your direction?" Imelda mused, brown eyes sparkling with mischief and a teasing smirk on her face.

Letting out a nervous laugh, Kathryn glanced at the teasing Slytherin from the corner of her eye, "Why would I know the answer to that? Isn't being late to class kind of his thing?" she replied back, eyes glancing back down and pretending to be very interested in her note taking. 

Imelda grew a devilish grin as her eyebrows rose up. "But you haven't been late ever, maybe a few times in Fifth Year but not since." her eyes scanned back across the room to see the Gaunt boy chastising his friend for being irresponsible, Sallow rolling his eyes at the onslaught. 

Kathryn glanced back up to Imelda, "I had a rough night. Didn't get much sleep and then Cooper had me run drills for a few hours before classes started. Just a bit sluggish this morning." It wasn't entirely a lie, but Imelda didn't need to know the dirty details of the impromptu tryst in the storage cupboard. Even Kathryn was having trouble processing how that happened or if it even did. 

The teasing expression on Imelda's face softened slightly at the news of a spontaneous quidditch practice but the smirk never left her face. "Alright Speedy, I won't press it." Kathryn sighed in relief at the assurance. "Just make sure to cover that blooming hickey on your neck before Sharp calls you out for improper behavior in potions." the Slytherin girl quipped back, causing Kathryn to squeak in surprise and whack her friend on the shoulder with her textbook, a red flush appearing on her cheeks as she scowled. Imelda laughed in response before turning back to her own notes.  

                                                                                                         ☼

  Kathryn

Meet me in the undercroft, I believe it is time we talk.

Ominis

Kathryn kept the folded letter in the pocket of her robe since receiving it after classes ended. The anxiety coursing through her at the impending conversation with Sebastian and Ominis had her heart pounding inside her chest. The one thing she's been wanting since the end of Fifth Year was finally happening, but Kathryn couldn't bring herself to be excited for it, instead the idea of finally receiving answers left her with an overwhelming sense of dread. 

What if this isn't getting answers? Does Ominis want to tell me to stay away from them permanently? Will Sebastian laugh at her for that morning? Was it all some cruel prank? Will Ominis tell her he took back his stance on sending Sebastian to Azkaban now that he's back? That last thought made her blood turn to ice. Kathryn looked up and realized she was standing at the entrance of the undercroft, the astrological designs taunting her psyche the longer she stared at it. 

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kathryn pulled her wand from the same pocket of her robe that seems to be the catch-all to store everything, and waved it at the entrance causing the clock to now whir and click before the door opened, granting her access to the secret hideaway.