Chapter 359 - – October 31st Ⅲ (2/2)
”I believe your parents, Mr. Greengrass, and your grandfather in your case, Mr. Prince, will soundly take care of that,” Dumbledore announced to everyone in the room. ”And as for the two of young men, the both of you will explain to the entire school and our guests exactly what the two of you did. Professor Slughorn if you would please make sure to escort them to the Great Hall and make sure they can be heard in the Great Hall; I would greatly appreciate it.”
Terry and Severus turn a bit green at that. That was worse than any number of detentions being served or even a Howler. This time the entire school would know exactly who was to blame for their champion. Their displeasure was most certainly to be known by everyone except for Slytherin. And well, it'd been a long time since Slytherin had been a champion. They'd take whatever they could get, no matter how dubious the circumstances might be.
Green faced, the two boys are led out by Professor Slughorn. Severus kept glancing in Rowan's direction, but not once did she glance up at look. The door firmly closed behind them one more leaving the room in an awkward state.
Clearing his throat, Amundsen says, ”Well, it's best we get on with it, no?”
”Ah yes,” Mr. Flint softly said, before straightening back up. ”The instructions for the first task are as follow. The first task is designed to test the champion's daring. Therefore, we will not be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard and is very important.
The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted task for or accept help of any kind from their teachers or in Miss Prince's case from an apprenticeship Master to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over.
Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempt from the end-of-year-tests except in the case of Miss Prince as she is serving an apprenticeship. Miss Prince will be exempt from her regular courses except for Alchemy, Advanced Arithmancy, Gobbledegook, and Ancient Studies as well as a final exam on Mermish to be conducted by Professor Dumbledore and an official from the Ministry of Magic.”
Jean Delacour stares at Rowan with pity, but as Rowan is still very ANGRY, she doesn't even notice. Igor Karkaroff, on the other hand, is unable to hide a triumphant smirk. But not that Rowan cared about what the toothpick weasel thought, but she'd be sure to get even later on.
Mr. Flint turned to Dumbledore as he says, ”That is all, Professor Dumbledore. I must be getting back to the Ministry along with Amundsen.” Amundsen made his goodbyes to the champions before departing from the room as both men made their way off the grounds to apparate back to the Ministry.
Professor Vulchanova sniffs and beckons Karkaroff after him who looks as though he's already won. Jean Delacour hesitantly pats Rowan on the back and given her height she was already that much taller than by more than a head's length. ”Cheer up, Mizz Prince,” Jean Delacour said. ”It 'ill be okay.”
Rowan credits herself enough to briskly nod at him before he follows Madame Maxime half listening to them speak in French. Only Rowan and Dumbledore are left inside as without glancing up at him, she says, ”I think its best I go to bed now.”
”Of course,” Dumbledore said as he moved aside and watched her go and slam the door behind her.
Rowan stomped her way downstairs with the only mercy being that she didn't meet a single person on her way down. The moment the Slytherin common room opened the blast of chatter fell silent as the Slytherins gave way to her. They'd all heard what had happened and knew for a fact that she must at present be furious.
Still, there was a cheery smile on their face that couldn't be wiped off. What Greengrass and Prince did was appalling. But it was also both, sly and clever and those were the embodied traits that all Slytherins admired.
Rowan stomped past them and ignored the cheering faces. She stomped all the up way upstairs and slammed the door open. To only slam the door shut with enough force hard to cause the door to tremble.
Bethanie, Tiffany, and Silvia warily watched Rowan undress and shut the bed curtains with a snap, all without a single word of goodnight. Tiffany warily whispers across the room, ”I think she's really angry this time.”
”You think?” Silvia sarcastically whispered. ”It wouldn't have been so bad if she'd put her name into the goblet. But Severus and Terry did it without her knowledge and permission. I thought she was going to punch them right there and then in the Great Hall.”
”Really?” Tiffany softly said in disbelief. ”Because that looked like she was going to murder them to me.”
”Enough,” Bethanie gently said. ”She's tired and had a very unpleasant ending to what should have a very nice evening. Let's not make it any worse.” Tiffany nods her head and pulls on her face mask. The girls close their bed curtains to fall asleep. But sleep was a long time coming for Rowan and when it did, it was once more filled with her usual train of nightmares.