The Badger and the Snakes || A Poppy Sweeting Love Story

Chapter 15

Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Great Hall on a Monday morning, Alfie found himself seated alone at the Slytherin table. Engrossed in a letter from his mother, he savored the tangy sweetness of the lemony biscuits she had lovingly baked and sent to him. The words on the page brought both joy and longing to his heart.

The letter revealed that his father had achieved a well-deserved promotion and now held the esteemed position of foreman at the factory. A smile crept across Alfie's face as he absorbed the news, proud of his father's accomplishment. However, a pang of sadness struck him, knowing that he had missed the jubilant celebration back home.

As he took another bite of his mother's biscuits, their familiar taste transported him to the warmth and comfort of his childhood home. The flavors intertwined with a sense of homesickness, reminding him of the cherished moments shared with his family.

Sebastian strolled over to the table, a knowing smile on his face. "Always the early riser," he remarked, taking a seat across from Alfie.

Alfie glanced up, acknowledging Sebastian's presence. "You know me. So, where's Ominis this morning?" he inquired curiously.

Sebastian shrugged casually. "Seemed like he was in a hurry. I believe he mentioned meeting up with Poppy to spend some time with the Kneazles or something like that," he responded nonchalantly.

Alfie's chest tightened slightly at the mention of Poppy and Ominis together. Jealousy began to creep in.

Since when had they become so close?

He swiftly dismissed the feeling, deciding to shift the focus elsewhere. "My mum sent me these freshly baked biscuits. Care for some?" he offered, attempting to change the subject.

Sebastian's eyes lit up at the mention of biscuits. "I thought you'd never ask! These look absolutely delicious!" he exclaimed eagerly, swiftly taking one from the plate. His face beamed with delight as he devoured the lemony treat within seconds.

He helped himself to another biscuit, this time savoring its taste. "Tell your mum that she's an excellent baker," he commented appreciatively.

Alfie chuckled softly. "I'll be sure to pass on the compliment," he replied.

They both sat in comfortable silence, enjoying their breakfast and savoring the delightful biscuits Alfie's mother had made.

However, amidst the quiet moments, Alfie's mind couldn't help but wander to thoughts of Poppy, her enchanting dress from the day before, and their perfect time together in the Vivarium.

A sense of unease settled in his stomach as he contemplated her growing closeness with Ominis.

He chided himself for feeling possessive over someone who wasn't even his girlfriend. There was no reason to entertain these selfish thoughts, but they persisted, seeping into his mind against his will. Letting out a sigh of frustration, he shook his head, trying to dispel the nagging emotions that threatened to consume him.

"If you're sighing about the eggs, I can't blame you. They're dreadfully overcooked this morning," Sebastian remarked, using his fork to scrape them to one side of his plate.

Alfie mustered a half-hearted agreement, absentmindedly picking at his own plate before taking a bite.

"Yeah, they really missed the mark on these. Overcooked and tasteless," he fibbed, trying to mask his true thoughts.

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "If they're truly that awful, why are you still eating them?" he inquired, his tone teasing. "What's really bothering you?"