Chapter 20 - Hogwarts Express Ⅱ (2/2)

”So, from what I was told, that means we're not too far off from Hogwarts,” Rowan grumbled.

”We better do as Rowan says,” Lily said. ”It's better to change now, then to do so later.”

Lily begins to take off her jacket as Severus flushes and says, ”Wait, shouldn't you change elsewhere?!”

Rowan snorts and says, ”It's just a bloody jacket, Severus.”

Severus glares mutinously at Rowan but doesn't continue to protest as James and Sirius begin to change as well. By the time, they are finished dressing, Lily says, ”Look!”

They all turn to gaze out of the windows to see Hogwarts gleaming in the distant moonlight. They all let sounds of exclamation except for Rowan, who had seen it all before. Severus catches Rowan's expression and sighs but doesn't dare ruin the moment.

Suddenly, a voice overhead says, ”We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on board as it will be taken to the school separately.”

Sitting back down, James says, ”We never did ask, but which house do you think we'll all be sorted into?”

Lily and Severus simultaneously look at Rowan as Sirius says, ”Okay, what is that supposed to mean?”

”Rowan thinks she can accurately guess what house everyone will be in,” Severus said with a roll of his eyes.

”Oh, please do us!” Sirius excitedly said.

Rowan rolls her eyes and says, ”You and James will both be in Gryffindor.”

”Yes!” The two of them exclaimed.

”What about you, three?” James curiously asked after a minute.

Rowan once more points at Lily and says, ”Gryffindor.” Then at Severus, ”Slytherin.” And then at herself, ”No idea.”

”I thought you said you could tell, what house everyone would be in?” James wickedly grinned.

”I said everyone that did not include myself,” Rowan countered back. Before James could think of a comeback, the train begins to slow down.

Sirius tries not to gulp but his nervous face betrays him. ”Err, but just in case, what if I'm not?” Sirius weakly asked.

”You'll do just fine,” Severus confidently said. ”If Rowan says, you'll be in Gryffindor, then you will be. She's never been wrong before.”

Sirius glances hopefully at Rowan, who sighs, ”You're an arrogant sod, Sirius Black, especially given your family lineage, but you have a good heart. And just that fact alone guarantees you'll be a Gryffindor.”

”Is that how you see us?” James wryly remarked.

”Mm, mostly,” Rowan grumbled as the train slowed down even more.

James grins and glances at Severus and Rowan. ”Even if the both of you end up in Slytherin, you're a good bunch too,” James chortled. Rowan rolls her eyes as Severus scoffed and Lily giggled in reply. However, all too soon those laughs fade away as the train comes around a bend and rolls to a stop. It was time.