Chapter 182 - Course List (2/2)
”It was a joke,” Rowan drily muttered as she took a seat on of the armchairs. ”I didn't think he'd actually accept, nor much less remember my words a year later.”
”Well, it is too late now,” Sirsa coolly said as she generously poured Rowan a cup and floated it over to her. ”The Black couple is under the impression that we have extended the invitation. I already formally replied to them as of a few minutes ago in agreement.”
”I know,” Rowan mumbled as she took a sip of the black tea. ”I saw Severus on the way down.” Georgine didn't bother to hide the slight upper twitch of her lips at the mention of Severus's name. Even after all this time, the two of them still did not like each other.
”And besides, Regulus isn't so bad,” Rowan admitted.
”Well, he's a Slytherin,” Georgine muttered under her breath. ”I can only imagine what the Black child is like in the house of lions. It's like giving a pack of kneazle's wings and yarn. It is no surprise that the ending result will be complete and utter chaos.”
”You have no idea,” Rowan said under her breath as she accepted a colorful macaroon from the floating plate before her.
”Well, either way, they're both Blacks,” Sirsa huffed. ”They'll have been taught how to properly comport themselves in other old households. I'm sure that for the duration of their short stay they shouldn't cause too much trouble.”
Rowan is unable to meet her grandmother's eyes at that last statement as she quickly swallows her hot tea, slightly burning her tongue. Wincing she quickly changes the subject, ”Our Hogwarts letter came in today.”
”Good, it was getting late,” Sirsa said with a frown. ”I suppose that you'll wanting to go and meet with the Evans in Diagon Alley again.”
”I'm sure that Severus has already written to Lily and is just waiting for a reply,” Rowan said as she bit into her tasty macaroon.
”Mm,” Sirsa said with a bit of a frown. ”He is a tad too close to that girl, don't you think?”
Rowan almost spits out her mouthful but manages to choke it down. With eyes watering, she says, ”Ah, well, we're just childhood friends.” Georgine merely raises an eyebrow, but doesn't cause Rowan trouble by saying, that was a blatant lie.
”The both of you are thirteen now,” Sirsa slowly said. ”It is about this age that boys begin to look at girls and vice-a-versa. I'd hate for him to fall in love with her.”
”Because she is a muggle-born?” Rowan hazard to declare.
Sirsa's brows furrow as her lips twitches into a frown. ”I would not make that same mistake, twice, Rowan.”
Rowan nods her head in apology at the reprimand as Sirsa takes a sip of her tea to sort her thoughts. ”That girl is rather lovely and quite charming. She'll be a looker, no doubt, but I've seen plenty of beautiful women before and she is no more outstanding.”
Sirsa pauses to set her teacup on the silver tea platter. ”Rather it worries me on how close they are. She is his friend and if she does not return his feelings,” Sirsa paused.
”That alone will not break, Severus, but rather her kindness will. And kindness like that drowns the soul in sweetness. I fear that he may never recover if he lost her friendship or he would rather cling to that friendship than ever lose her.”
Sirsa gazes up at Rowan and says, ”Severus must marry to continue the Prince line. There is no other choice for him. But any girl that we arrange for him to be with will not pay second fiddle to his heart.
Any pureblood girl worth her good salt does not expect love out of a marriage partner, but certainly, respect and to be valued by their partner. But if that partner is always bemoaning the past, I'm afraid she'd not be able to bear it. For you see, a lover or a mistress has a proper place, out of sight and out of mind. But such a treasured friendship would not allow anything else in its place to grow even in the public eye.”
”I'm afraid of that too,” Rowan confessed with a weary expression. ”I fear that he will lose her in the end, and it will break him.”
”But does he stand a chance?” Georgine interrupted. ”If he does then we need not worry, but if he does not-.” Georgine's voice trails off as she gravely eyes her niece.
”I think Lily sees him as a good friend,” Rowan admitted. ”But I don't know if she will ever see him as anything more than that and therefore there lies the problem. However, if she can grow to see him as a man, I do believe she will choose him in the end.”
”And if she does not?” Georgine voiced all their thoughts.
”Then I fear that our worst fears will come to pass,” Rowan tragically said knowing full well that was the complete and utter truth. Because Severus would always love Lily to the end. But whether Lily would, well, she'd chosen James Potter once before, what was to say, she wouldn't do so again?”