Chapter 181 - Muffliato Ⅱ (2/2)
”And what makes these individuals so special?” Alphard pointedly asked as if implying that they were Death Eater's.
”They know something, I just don't know what yet,” Rowan somewhat truthfully replied.
Hearing the spark of truth in her voice, Alphard slowly nods his head. ”Very well, but it will have to be done in my free time. I'm still an unspeakable, you know.”
”That's fine,” Rowan said as she leaned over to whisper the five names in his ear.
Glancing in puzzlement, Alphard arches a brow at recognizing some of the names. ”I personally know two of them as they are both purebloods from Slytherin. The other three I am aware of who they are, a Hufflepuff, a Ravenclaw, and a Gryffindor.”
Rowan blinks a bit surprised at that and asks, ”Which of them?”
”Bulstrode and Nott are Slytherins. Burke, a Ravenclaw. Gamp, a Gryffindor. And Shafiq, a Hufflepuff,” Alphard slowly said. ”But remember belonging to a house is not an indication of who they truly are. Merely a highlight of some of their abilities.”
”I know,” Rowan replied with a frown. ”I was just expecting them all to be in Slytherin.”
”It's a false public assumption to assume that most purebloods are,” Alphard bitterly said with a snort. ”Most purebloods are actually evenly distributed throughout the four houses. It's just that those belonging to Slytherin seem to garner the most attention oftentimes for the worst offenses.”
Rowan nods her head in understanding at personally seeing the subtle jabbing or not so subtle actions of the other houses. The whispered voices, the rolling of eyes, barbed critiques, all directed at any little action of the Slytherin house members. Was it any surprise that more than half of the Slytherins turned out the way they were due to always being pointed at?
Coughing loudly to grab, Rowan's attention, Alphard says, ”And what exactly am I looking for?”
”Just a general investigation will do for now,” Rowan steadily replied. ”And their present whereabouts if at all possible.”
”That normally wouldn't be too difficult,” Alphard admitted. ”But with the present ongoings and workload, it may take much longer than past the new year.”
”I can afford to wait,” Rowan truthfully answered. Because honestly, she didn't know what her next steps would be.
”Very well then,” Alphard said another storm of coughs overtook him forcing him to remain seated.
Wiping his wet red lips, he hears Rowan say, ”It's getting worse, isn't it?”
”Yes,” Alphard hoarsely admitted as he weakly got to his feet as Rowan offered him a hand up.
There is a long pause as Rowan carefully says, ”Would you like to know?”
”I already know I will,” Alphard semi-bitterly answered. ”I've always known ever since I was a child that I would die from this disease. And now I can feel it overcoming my body. I don't have much time left beyond a few more years.”
Alphard paused at seeing her concerned expression. ”It is enough to know that my brief existence will have made a difference in changing the very fabric of nature. And that is more than sufficient for me.” Rowan gently squeezes his held hand once, before letting go.
Nodding his head at her, Alphard makes his way out the study, where Alastor waits for him. ”Well, that was a bit long,” Alastor suspiciously said.
”Well, she is a girl,” Alphard chuckled. ”And you know how they are, wanting to get the perfect gift.”
”Well, she is only what? Thirteen now?” Alastor swore. ”Cripes, it's been that long, eh? Hard to believe.”
”Yes, it's hard to believe,” Alphard whispered as they stopped to use the main Prince manor fireplace to floo. Under green flames, they both floo'd away to the ministry, before heading over the funeral of Sara Vinovich. Needless to say, it was a heartbreaking service for them as they watched the casket of their once fierce friend be laid to rest beneath the stark ground with a warm sunny day overhead.