Chapter 18 - Platform 9 ?’s (1/2)
Late evening on August 31st, Rowan readies herself for bed and packs the last of her things for Hogwarts tomorrow. Feeling a bit excited, despite everything, she decides to step out for a bit of fresh air. Sitting on the edge of the patio staring at the stares she blinks in surprise at seeing a figure sneaking in the shadows. ”Mother?” Rowan cried out as she saw Eileen stealthily creeping away with a carpetbag.
Eileen freezes and looks up as her guilt-stricken eyes meet the midnight black indigo eyes of Rowan. Eileen clutches her carpet that bag much tighter and whispers, ”I have to go. I can't stay here anymore, Rowan!” Seeing her daughter not reply, Eileen continues, ”I just need to get away for a bit to clear my head, my dear, I promise!”
Rowan slowly gets up to her feet and says, ”Did you at least bother to leave Severus a note?”
Eileen stumbles back in guilt. ”It'll only be for a few days, Rowan, that's all.”
Rowan rather disappointed voice says, ”We both know that's a lie. You won't be coming back, will you?”
Eileen opens and closes her mouth unable to repute her daughters' words, before finally closing her mouth shut in reply. Rowan turns away and stares at the brightly lit hall. ”Stay there for a few minutes more or else, you'll come across Fidel on his nightly patrol,” Rowan said over her shoulder, before vanishing into the bright manor as Eileen softly cries out, ”Thank you.”
From upstairs in her bedroom, Rowan watches the dark grounds until Eileen hurries away across the dark lawn with her carpetbag, before vanishing into the shadows of the woods forever. ”You excited for tomorrow?” Severus loudly asked as he flops down onto the bed.
Seeing Rowan ignoring him, Severus frowns and loudly asks the question again. Rowan slowly turns around and finally says, ”Sort of.” Rowan tiredly climbs onto the bed and tightly hugs Severus as she buries her face into his chest.
”Rowan?” Severus sputtered in surprise and confusion.
”Just a bit longer, Sev,” Rowan rather muffled said.
Hearing the strange tone in Rowan's voice, Severus hurriedly suggests, ”How about we sleep together just like old times?”
”Alright,” Rowan murmured.
Severus gently escapes Rowan's hug and hurriedly gets ready for bed, before climbing back into bed with Rowan. Seeing his twin sister so very still and usually quiet, Severus worriedly is reminded of the past. ”Are you alright, Rowan?” Severus anxiously asked.
”I will be, Sev,” Rowan quietly replied as she snuggled closer to Severus.
”Okay,” Severus quietly said as he too wiggled closer for warmth. This was what they had always done since they were small. When they were cold or hungry or simply frightened by the shouts and screams. Rowan and Severus would hide under their sheets and snuggle as close as they could until they fell sound asleep. And so, they did, just like all the countless times before.
Bright and early on September 1st, Reginald accompanied the twins to King's Cross with Eileen most notably missing. With ease, the three of them pass through the enchanted wall and arrive on the other side onto platform 9 ¾s. A scarlet engine waits next to the platform that is bursting with people. Smoke from the engine drifts over the crowd as the wrought-iron archway reads, Platform Nine and Three Quarters. The first few train carriages are already full of students waving goodbye, or even fighting over their seats.