Chapter 67 - Return to Hogwarts (2/2)
”Oh?” Rowan said hiding a grin. Seeing Rowan's bright eyes, Terry gently opens the case to reveal a long-haired kitten in shades of brown, gray, white, and black. The dozing kitten's ears are cute and tuft with a pink little nose and matching paws. ”Aw,” Rowan said unable to help herself.
Terry snickers until Rowan narrows her eyes at him. Swiftly closing the basket, Terry says, ”I named him, Alchemy.”
”That's an excellent name choice,” Rowan said causing Terry to beam in pleasure. ”He's a Norwegian forest cat, isn't he?”
”Yes, my sisters and my mum thought that it might be a good idea to get me a long-haired cat since the Slytherin common room is in the dungeons,” Terry replied. Before Rowan can complement the well thought out choice, the train lets out a warning whistle as the last of the gaggle boards.
”Huh? I wonder what's taking Sev so long?” Rowan thought to herself.
With one final whistle, the train begins to move as Terry glances at the two trunks and says, ”So, where's Severus?”
”Looking for Lily Evans,” Rowan causally replied.
Terry furrows his brows and says, ”I think I saw her sitting with two other Gryffindor girls, I think their names are Mary McDonald and Willa Sands?”
”Sorry, Sev,” Rowan lamented privately. ”I didn't mean for Lily to separate herself from you so early on.” Not that it was a bad thing for Lily to have friends, but it was the 5th year incident, where Severus was getting bullied that changed their friendship. And as long as Severus didn't technically enact out that scene, he still had a fighting chance.
”Rowan, you seem out of it?” Terry loudly said.
”Sorry,” Rowan truthfully said. ”I was just thinking about what to eat for lunch, I'm starving and didn't' have breakfast.”
”Well, I've got a few chocolates covered biscuit's if you don't mind having one?” Terry said.
”I would very much like one,” Rowan said as Terry handed over a small packet of chocolate-covered biscuits. While eating a chocolate-covered biscuit, Rowan looks up as the train compartment door opens to reveal the somewhat gloomy figure of Severus.
”What happened to you?” Terry remarked as Severus sullenly took a seat. ”You look as though you ate a booger flavored bean.”
Rowan almost spits out the mouthful of food as the unpleasant image appears in her mind and mouth. Hastily swallowing, she tries not to gag as Severus says, ”Lily said she was going to sit with her friends.”
”She's a girl, Sev,” Rowan choked. ”You honestly can't expect her to always sit with us, do you?”
Severus wisely keeps his sulking reply to himself as he merely huffs and turns to stare at the passing snow scenery. Ignoring the pouting figure of Severus, Rowan and Terry chat over what had happened over the holidays. Just as usual around noon the train attendant popped by with her cart of food as Rowan and Terry ordered as usual before sharing the food between the three of them. As per usual, Rowan had scarfed down the meal down and was now largely eating chocolate frogs with great leisure.