Chapter 70 - Library Encounter (2/2)

”Werewolves!” Pettigrew eagerly chimed.

Lily shivers and says, ”Professor Strives is teaching a summary chapter on Werewolves tomorrow as the topic won't be an in-depth study until a later year. It's rather scary to think such terrifying things still roam out in the world in this day and age.”

Lupin's hand clenches around his feathered quill as Rowan says, ”It's merely an untreatable disease for the moment, but that doesn't mean that there won't be one day a cure.”

Glancing up to gaze Lily in the eye, Rowan coldly adds, ”It would be rather foolish to be prejudiced against werewolves as they should be pitied and not condemned for their malady. For I highly doubt there is a single werewolf in existence, who if given the choice wouldn't elect to never have been bitten.”

Lupin blinks at Rowan with a mixture of gratitude and worry. This was Rowan's friend and she was picking a fight with Lily over him. Lupin is about to speak up, but James kindly interjects, ”I'm sure, Lily, didn't mean anything by that Rowan.”

Rowan doesn't reply as she returns to her notetaking as Lily apologetically said, ”You're right, I shouldn't have made such a callous remark.”

Pettigrew quickly says, ”It's nothing really, I'm sure that Rowan merely overreacted.” Pettigrew gives Rowan a pointed glare as if telling her to keep her comments to herself.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Lily softly says, ”I'll be seeing you all later,” before heading back into the library corridor and vanishing among the bookshelves.

”Well, that was rather cold of you,” Pettigrew pointedly remarked given that Rowan hadn't even said goodbye to Lily.

Annoyed, Rowan gets up the surprise of the four of them. ”I'll be going now, I'm feeling a bit tired this evening,” Rowan said as she pointed her wand and the volumes swiftly returned to their shelves.

”I said, I'm going,” Rowan curtly said, before speedily leaving.

”What's gotten into her?” Sirius mused out loud in confusion.

Pettigrew, on the other hand, was delighted and said, ”Maybe, she caught a nasty bug!”

”Doubt it,” Sirius retorted. ”Severus and Rowan are more likely to fall ill from overstudying than catching a nasty cold.”

”One can only hope,” Pettigrew said under his breath in a much more cheerful mood.

”Still, Rowan's rather amazing,” Lupin hurriedly said in her defense. ”Even if she doesn't end up as an Auror, she's sure to become an incredible witch.”

”But not as cool as me,” Sirius arrogantly said causing Lupin to roll his eyes and Pettigrew to snort.

Lupin suddenly realizes that James hasn't spoken a word and glances over at James to find him frowning. ”Something on your mind, James?”

James shakes his unruly head and thoughtfully says, ”It's nothing really. It just I thought she seemed a bit out of sorts.”

”Out of sorts?” Lupin mused to himself as he thought of something and quickly changed his mind as he shook his head. ”Nah, it was probably Pettigrew tossing all those flecks of paper at her.”

”Who knows, she's a girl,” Sirius wisely said. All four boys are silent for a moment, before nodding their heads in agreement, because frankly wasn't that statement true? Women would always and foremost remain a mystery to men.