Chapter 52 - Christmas Break (2/2)
The three of them warm themselves in the Great Hall before each briskly setting off to their own common rooms. Severus and Rowan hike up their robes and sprint down the stairs and through the freezing dungeon hallways. Never mind Filch or being caught by Mrs. Norris, they'd sooner risk detention or loss of points, before being stuck in the freezing dungeon hallways.
Rushing into the common room, Rowan and Severus shiver with cold as they head directly to the roaring fireplace and warm themselves like shivering kittens. The 4th years and up are still notably missing from the common room as they have yet to be released from their last class of the day. Thankfully after tomorrow, everyone would be able to head back home.
After some time, Rowan says, ”We better start packing for tomorrow.”
”Yeah,” Severus reluctantly said. The two go their separate ways, but not before Rowan snickers loudly at the empty Slytherin window that views into the frozen lake. Survive the bitter chill, perverted fishes and stalker squids!
Upstairs, Rowan finds three huddled lumps in each bed as Bethany, Tiffany, and Silvia have wrapped themselves in their warm, thick fur bed covers. ”Aren't you three going to start packing?” Rowan asked as she put down her school bag onto her bed.
”It's not like we need to pack a lot as we're only going back for a few weeks,” Silvia hastily said. ”Besides, it's da*n cold!”
Tiffany squeaks in reply, before stuffing her face down to her nose under the cover only leaving her mischievous eyes peeking out like an adorable woodland creature. But the thing that most people forget is that no matter how cute of a woodland creature is, it's still a wild creature with sharp teeth and claws.
Rowan shrugs and says, ”Suit yourself.” Rowan swiftly begins to pack as Bethanie eyes Rowan with narrowed eyes.
”And why aren't you freezing your tail off like the rest of us?” Bethany pointedly inquired causing Silvia and Tiffany to gaze at Rowan with betrayal.
”I just put enchanted hot stones in my pockets,” Rowan fearlessly answered as she took out an enchanted warm stone from her pocket that released a faint wisp of steam in the cool air.
”Brilliant!” Silvia applauded as Tiffany squeaked in agreement.
”And, why not share this secret with us before?” Bethany indignantly huffed.
”I just figured it only a two days ago,” Rowan sheepishly admitted.
The three of them stare at Rowan and then burst out laughing. Pointing at Rowan from under the thick fur cover, Tiffany squeaks, ”Even you're bad at some things, Rowan.”
”Naturally, I'm far from Prefect,” Rowan matter-of-factly stated as she packed a simple trunk with school items and one or two sets of clothing as there was a closet full of clothes back home.
”Home,” Rowan paused at hearing herself think that. ”I guess it is home now,” Rowan quietly thought to herself with a faint gentle smile.
Finished, Rowan copies the three girls and curls up in bed as they all chat about what they're going to do for the holidays. On an interesting note, despite Silvia and Bethany being from the 28 Families, Silvia is the wealthiest out of them all. If Rowan had to describe Silvia in terms of wealth it would be that of a Sultan. As in very, very wealthy. Like the kind of money to even go as far as to buy Hogwarts and still have ¾'s of the family fortune remain intact.