Chapter 98 - Flourish and Blotts (2/2)

Regulus chokes and does not deem to answer her question as Lily calls out from behind, ”I found what I wanted, Rowan, have you?”

”I did,” Rowan replied somewhat truthfully.

”Oh, and wait, who is this?” Lily exclaimed at seeing the startling similarity of the boy with that of Sirius Black. ”Wait, you must be Regulus! Sirius bemoans an awful lot about you in the common room.”

”Common room?” Regulus said with a sneer. ”A Gryffindor, no doubt.”

Without any warning, Rowan smacks Regulus on the back of his head causing him to yelp. Both Lily and he gawk at Rowan as Regulus rubs the back of his head. ”That is most rude to say to a young lady,” Rowan chided. ”I know you are a pureblood and you most certainly have been taught proper manners. Apologize now.”

Flushing with embarrassment and a bit of guilt, Regulus nods his head at Lily. ”Miss-, I apologize for my hasty comportment. Please accept my sincere apology,” Regulus politely said.

Rowan glances at Lily, who quickly understands her intentions. ”Apology accepted,” Lily said causing Regulus to flush even more.

Glancing over at Rowan after a moment, Regulus holds out the rare book and says, ”My actions were quite rude to you as well, Miss Prince. Please accept the book as a token of my admission of guilt.”

”I won't mind if I do,” Rowan said with a small grin of triumph as she took the book back.

”You lied, didn't you?” Regulus said through narrow eyes. ”I'm impressed, you had me fooled.”

”I do try my best,” Rowan modestly declared causing Regulus and Lily to snort.

Regulus opens his mouth to speak when a loud, stern voice cries out. ”Regulus Black, where are you?!”

Bright red now with humiliation, Regulus softly says, ”My mother.” Rushing away, Regulus hastily pauses almost tripping. ”It was a pleasure to meet you both, before rushing away.”

”Huh, he's kind of cute in a weird alley cat way,” Lily mused.

”And what's that supposed to mean?” Rowan choked.

”Well, you can't help but want to pet him because he's a kitten. However, he's an alley cat, he'll try to scratch you if you get to close,” Lily cheerfully replied.

”Right...” Rowan drily commented.

”Shall we go and pay for our books?”

”I suppose so. Though I can't possibly know what's taking them so long. They're only buying a single broom not outfitting an entire Quidditch team!”

Lily shrugs in reply. ”I think that's what boys think about girls when we go shopping.”

”Mm,” Rowan hummed in neither agreement nor disagreement. The two of them quickly line up at the counter and wait in line until it is there turn at the counter. The woman at the counter quickly tacks away at the old-fashioned change tile before, calculating the price.

Mostly to Rowan's surprise, her purchase was on the lower end, which was a surprise as the book was quite rare. But then again, perhaps, not many were interested in purchasing the volume.

Finished paying, Lily glances about and says, ”Well, shall we wait outside, or should we go look for them? I mean, your grandfather did ask us to wait here but it's been a bit long since then.”

”Let's go and get them,” Rowan said with resignation. ”I'm fairly certain that they've forgotten all about us at this point.” And with that in mind, the two girls set off for the Quidditch shop.