Chapter 255 - Full Moon (1/2)

The morning of the next full moon had started as rather overcast. It was rather worrisome because if it remained in this manner, they would have to start the entire process all over again. In their last potions class, both Severus and the Marauders had been so distracted that Professor Slughorn had to yell several times at them to get their attention. He had been most displeased, and they'd been rather lucky, he hadn't given them detentions to serve that night.

This went on for the rest of the day even when they were doing Cheering Charms in Professor Flitwick's class, which did very little to improve Severus's dower mood. Rowan rather enjoyed herself feeling rather elated and quite bright for a change. An oddity for her, but a rare occurrence that she did on occasion enjoy.

That day in, DADA, Professor Pollen was teaching them the Ventus Jinx, a jinx designated to shoot strong jets of spiraling, wind from the tip of their wand. The cast cyclone is able to blow away heavy objects or even people. Once, finished demonstrating the jinx, Professor Pollen says, ”Alright, now please try to blow the books in front of you. Careful not to send them flying through the windows! Points will be docked!”

Severus clearly hadn't been listening, because once Professor Pollen said, ”Go.” Severus cast the spell to only send the book flying straight through the window of the classroom causing the glass to shatter.

Suddenly pulling, Severus to the ground, Rowan steps over him and takes his place. Professor Pollen whirls around to see the stunned figure of Severus on the ground and Rowan standing in his spot. ”Sorry, Professor,” Rowan sheepishly said.

”Ten points from Slytherin!” Professor Pollen snapped, before walking over to repair the window.

Glaring down at Severus, Rowan hisses, ”Hurry and get up!” Realizing that his twin was annoyed for good reason, Severus hurriedly rises to his feet. He rather innocently casts the spell again causing the book to firmly slide forward across the bare floor.

”Very good, Mr. Prince,” Professor Pollen said in approval as Rowan flashed Severus another unhappy look.

Severus remained rather alert for the rest of their class period until they were dismissed. Knowing better than to apologize when his sister was in this state, he hurriedly said, ”I'll see you later,” before bolting away. He was not a coward merely recalculating his new defensive position.

It was still rather overcast by nightfall, but that wasn't about to stop any of them. Making sure the girls were sound asleep, Rowan made her way into the common room, where Severus crept down the stairs. Sneaking out was the easy part, the hard part was getting out of the castle unnoticed and then back in.

Somehow, they managed to do it with a strong notice me not charm, before making their way outside at the designated meeting point behind the greenhouses. It was still overcast as they both waited on the soggy grass. Severus muttered things under his breath as he held the potion ingredients in his pouch to his chest.

”Reckon Lupin's turned yet?” Severus asked as he glanced up at the murky sky.

”The moon's already risen, so probably,” Rowan mumbled as she peered into the darkness. ”Remind me again, why I'm out here again?”

”This was your idea,” Severus grumbled. ”And you're an accomplice. And if I'm going to go down for this you are too.”

”No need to so bitter about it,” Rowan sniffed as she suddenly heard a rustle behind her as a voice said, ”Boo!” However, it was too bad for them as she automatically slammed her elbow into their ribcage as Invisible cloak fell off of them to reveal two stunned boys with Sirius laying prone on the ground in pain.

”I could have told you that Rowan hates to have people sneak up on her,” Severus said with a malicious grin.

”I thought as much,” Sirius wheezed in breathless agony.

”Well, shall we get to it?” James said as he eagerly rubbed his hands.

Pointing up at the sky, Rowan sarcastically says, ”It's still dark.” And as if the heavens heard them both the clouds parted the moonlight feel upon them. Bloody lucky Gryffindors!

”See, I told you it would work out,” James smugly said as Severus handed them each a vial.