Chapter 389 - Fifteen (2/2)

Rowan stares at him as though he was an idiot causing James to further blush. ”It's fairly obvious,” Rowan replied as she stuffed the last of the cake in her mouth and brushed off the crumbs. ”So, what are you going to do about it?”

James sputters in embarrassment, before sheepishly asking, ”You think I have a chance?”

Rowan solemnly stares at James for a moment or two. She knew full well that James won the last time despite being a complete and utter arse to Severus. And this James was not only smarter and kinder but actually a pretty decent guy. To be fair, James had a very good chance of winning Lily's heart again. And in all honesty, if, Severus were to lose Lily again, and if it was to this James even Rowan could live with it.

Rowan slowly says, ”James, you have as a good a chance as anyone, I think. Maybe even a bit more given that you're in the same year and house as Lily. So, good luck.”

”Thanks,” James ruefully said as he brushed a nervous hand through his hair.

Suddenly loud footsteps can be heard nearby as James instantly tugs Rowan closer and pulls the invisible cloak over them. Pressing close together, they press as close as they can to the ledge of the astronomy tower and hold their breaths. The voice of Professor Lye can be heard saying, ”That's strange I thought for sure I heard voices coming from up here. But I don't see anyone up here.”

”It's probably some kids at the bottom of the astronomy tower that their voices echoed all the way up here, professor,” Argus Filch grumbled. ”They probably already ran off the minute they heard us.”

”You're probably right,” Professor Lye said as he limped away with Argus Filch in tow.

James and Rowan didn't dare move for what seemed hours, but in reality, it is only a matter of minutes. Taking a deep breath, Rowan removed the cloak to feel the blast of the cold air on her face. ”Well at least this comes in handy,” Rowan commented as James flashed her a smug grin.

”Well, since you just saved me with that infernal invisible cloak of yours, I suppose I might as well show you something just as neat, James,” Rowan said with a smug smile as she took a step backward towards the ledge.

”Ha ha ha, very funny,” James grumbled with a tad of worry seen his eyes at seeing Rowan take another step back. ”Hey, this isn't funny anymore, Rowan!” He sharply said, quickly moving forward to grab her and pull her safely back.

Placing her finger to her lips, Rowan gestures for him to remain silent before she falls backward off the ledge. James is in utter shock and frantically scrambles forward before he can even scream something darts past him. Gawking in the moonlight, James blinks in utter incredulity unable to believe his own two eyes. There in the dark of the night, Rowan was easily flying.

”But wizards and witches can't fly!” James lamely protested still unable to believe what he was seeing.

”Who said?” Rowan chuckled as she floated back near to the edge. ”If a muggle could construct a giant metal like bird to fly through the sky and even go into space. Why can't we wizards defy the heavens and do the same?”

Extending her hand, Rowan waits as James slowly takes her hand. ”Don't let go,” Rowan sternly said, before pulling James off the ledge and into the air. James gasps at finding himself floating in the air, before letting a cry of delight, when they drop towards the ground.

Flying in the cold night sky, Rowan takes him for a whirl around the grounds, before returning to the tower half-frozen and cheeks flushed. James just beams at her as his eyes seem to sparkle with an inner light. ”You have to teach me how to do that!” James begged the minute they landed.

”For your birthday next year,” Rowan replied as she shivered and tucked her cloak around her.

”Pinky promise?” James asked as he held up his pinky in the air.

Rowan rolls her eyes and says, ”I know for a fact that you did not know that saying before. It must have been Lupin who told you.”

James flashes her a cheeky grin before Rowan interlocks her pinky with that of his. ”Yes, pinky promise,” Rowan muttered. ”But you do know that this kind of promise is only common between small children, right?”

”Maybe,” James said with a shrug. ”But Rowan, you, never break a promise.”

Rowan snorts and breaks their pinky grip. ”Well, we best be off to bed,” Rowan said as she made her way down the stairs.

”Race you to the common room area first!” James said with a flourish, before pulling his cloak up and scrambling past her.

Resisting the urge to step on his cloak, Rowan leisurely makes her way down the tower before teleporting back to the girl dorms. Prongs never said that cheating wasn't allowed. And besides, she wasn't about to foolishly walk around the school, when she could just teleport there. Really, Gryffindor's were always so very predictable.