Chapter 221 - Awakening Ⅱ (1/2)
With Severus gone, Rowan closed her eyes a tentative probe and winced at the result. Although her pathways had managed to absorb the conflicting energy from the Philosopher's Stone, here pathways were severely damaged, and extremely sensitive. She knew she wouldn't even be able to use a speck of magic until at least her return to Hogwarts. Which was fine by her, she was utterly exhausted and needed the time to recover.
However, that had her worried at the same time. Why on Earth had she been able to absorb the energy from the Philosopher's stone? It should not have occurred at all since she had destroyed the stone with Basilisk poison and there was no interference from her wand. Then again, the release of energy from the Philosopher's stone at the time of its destruction, much like lightning searched for the nearest vessel to become a viable conductor. And already still in the process of digesting the energy in her pathways, the two conflicting energies met like cats and dogs, with the ending result being neither getting the upper hand over each other, but rather neutralizing each other at the expense of her body.
A loud cough causes Rowan to glance up to see a rather relieved looking goblin. ”Hello Ragnok, are you here to tell me, what I earned? Or how much I owe Gringotts for my life?”
Ragnok flushes and shakes his head. ”We were to blame for the attack as we were meant to protect you!”
Rowan is still for a moment as she puts two and two together. But not about to fight against fate, she says, ”Worry not, it was an accident. I presume that the culprits were found?”
”They were,” Ragnok darkly said in such a manner that Rowan had the distinct feeling that the four Death Eater's had died at the hands of the goblins.
”Now what were my final earnings?” Rowan changed the subject. ”Regardless of what happened, we have a contract and we will abide by it.”
A professional air comes over him as Ragnok says, ”15% was deducted from the total earnings as per contract and the deduction of the final amount deposited was 1,814,738 galleons and a single knut. The sells transaction record as well as the Starry Night gift will personally be delivered by a representative of Gringotts to Prince Manor upon your return.”
”Please thank, Grok Gringotts for the excellent services provided,” Rowan said as she hid her expression of relief. That was two things down. Her face went still as recalled what that implied.
Clenching the blankets in her hand, Rowan couldn't help but recall the scene of the blood-red stone shattering before her. If she was honest with herself, she knew that she could have taken the stone instead and hidden it away. But the heart of the matter was rather simple, she didn't trust herself with the Philosophers' Stone.
She'd proven how easy killing came to her. And she'd rather not be put into a position one day, where she wouldn't even be able to recognize herself. For even the devil started as such, it was only a tiny slip here and there until he'd transformed into unrecognizable beast. No, it'd been better to nip the temptation of immortality right in the bud. For what is man, if not mortal?
Feeling sadness and guilt at seeing her expression, Ragnok says, ”I best be letting you rest now.”
”Thank you for seeing me,” Rowan said as Ragnok bowed deeply to her, before departing out the door to inform Grok Gringotts of the child's awakening.
Rowan hadn't even settled back down, when Severus burst in with three adult figures in tow. Reginald and Sirsa looked older as clear dark eyeshadows can be seen under their eyes including that of Georgine. ”Sorry,” Rowan lamely said as her grandmother pulled her into an uncharacteristic hug.
”Oh, child,” Sirsa murmured into her granddaughters' ear. ”Don't frighten us so.”
Despite the hug hurting her still rather tender body, Rowan didn't pull away as her grandfather merely ruffled her head. Georgine loudly sniffed and looked away. ”Idiot child, were you not taught this year on detecting poisons? How in merlin's name did you manage not to notice?”
”Because Rowan's worst subject is Potions,” Severus muttered under his breath earning him a scowl from Aunt Georgine.
Sirsa finally let's go and says, ”We've not yet opened the presents. We'll all get to them once your home.”
Rowan blinks as the tips of her ears turn slightly pink. ”You didn't have too,” Rowan protested.