Chapter 165 - Laldey (1/2)

Rowan let out a tired sigh as she finished polishing the latest metal worked item, a silver candle holder. Her grandparents had been quite generous in not sending her a howler, while she was still at Hogwarts. But they certainly hadn't forgiven her for the fright she had caused the professors, her twin brother, and the girls in her dorm room. However, it was a mixed blessing of sort as they had not further pried into exactly the reason why she was out so late nor why she had sleepless eye shadows for some time after being home.

After a rather long and lengthy discussion, her grandparents settled on a detention like punishment. Manually polishing a good stack of family heirlooms that had been stored in the basement for some time. And as Dawn was soon to give birth, it was quickly agreed that this would be the best use of Rowan's time.

Exhausted, Rowan placed the candle holder back in its now clean wooden box, before snapping it shut. Glancing over at the boxes still left to go through she let out a soft moan. But not one ever to give up halfway, she stubbornly opened up the next one to see a dusty golden jeweled vase. Carefully taking the rag and polish in hand, she gently began to clean in smoothing motions. Her mind tended to drift away at times like these as her body worked on autopilot.

For better or for worse, Rowan was able to sleep now at night. She still woke up from nightmares towards the end, but nothing her usual meditation couldn't fix. Still, a part of her was rather appalled at how quickly she had moved on. But the pragmatic side of her vastly approved as she did have more important priorities.

Rowan's mind wandered over to the most important topic on hand that of Charlus Potter Jr. and Fogey Artemio. In some fashion, she felt validated at knowing that there were others before her. And at the same time, she felt a bit of despair at knowing that the prior truth-seekers before her had not only failed but died under rather tragic murderous circumstances. Because that was the only ending awaiting her should she be discovered.

Still she couldn't very well go about asking about the two of them in the open. Look how well that worked out for both of them. No, she'd have to be a lot sneakier than a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor. And she was a Slytherin and that's what they tended to do best.

Rowan let out a hiss and sucked on her finger as she saw that rather jagged gem had scratched her finger. Sucking on the bleeding scratch, she winced at the metallic taste in her mouth, before removing it from her mouth. It was bleeding a bit, but nothing that a band-aid wouldn't fix. Wait, she didn't carry one on hand. Sighing, she could only suck on it every now and then to stop the bleeding until it fully stopped.

Grimacing, Rowan much more carefully returned to polishing the vase. Making sure to keep her mind from wandering off, she found the task rather dull and repetitive. It must have been another half hour before she finally finished and retired for the day. Wiping the dust from legs, she headed off to the kitchen for a quick wash and a bite to eat.

Tadbey or maybe even Dawn must have known she was coming as there was a stack of sandwiches with some juice on the counter with a plate of tarts for dessert. Humming in thanks, Rowan quickly dived right in and began to eat. Glancing out of the kitchen window as she ate, she saw Fidel proudly stomping out on the lawns. As if sensing an evil presence, Fidel whirled his head around to meet that of Rowan's. Letting out a shriek, Fidel hastily rushed away from the bird-killer!

A bit disappointed at the lack of scenery, Rowan quickly ate, before taking the plate of tarts upstairs with her. Instead of heading to her bedroom, she made her way to the bedroom across from her own bedroom. Severus's bedroom door was wide open as he worked at his desk with his head bent over the large leather-bound book, A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot.

”Need some help with that?” Rowan asked as she lay down on the bed to watch him work.

”No, I'm fine,” Severus grumbled. ”It's just an essay on writing about the Witch Burnings in the Fourteenth Century.”

”Yes, rather pointless, wouldn't you agree?” Rowan mumbled with a mouthful of tart.

”Of course not!” Severus snapped as he turned around to reach over to take one of the tarts. ”It only showcases the stupidity of muggles and their view on all wizardkind.”

”Well, most of those killed were really innocent as witches and wizards simply cast a basic Flame Freezing charm and pretended to shriek in pain as they enjoyed a gentle tickling sensation. There was that one witch, what was her name?” Rowan paused as she thought about the answer for a moment. ”Wendelin the Weird, who enjoyed it so much that she was caught and burned no less than forty-seven times in various disguises.”

”Yes, well, her name was certainly appropriate,” Severus huffed as he reached for another tart. ”Wait, you're already done with the essay?”

”Hm, I'm mostly done with almost all of our summer's homework. I just have to fact check a few things more than I will be done,” Rowan said, before reaching for another tart.

”I can't believe it!” Severus exclaimed. ”We've only started summer break and you're already done!”

”Yes,” Rowan drily said, before taking another bite of the perfectly soft, flakey pastry.

Severus rolled his eyes as he sighs, ”Are you able to spawn multiple versions of yourself when I'm not looking? Because I know for a fact most of your day is spent polishing heirlooms down in the basement.”

”No, but that would be rather neat,” Rowan said as she reached for the last tart at the same time as Severus did.

They both narrowed their eyes at each other as Severus says, ”You're eating in my bed.”

”But I brought the tarts up!” Rowan argued.

”You're leaving crumbs in my bed, which I will later sleep in.”