Chapter 442 - Hogwarts Infirmary Ⅲ (1/2)
With that last statement the entire infirmary room falls briefly silent as if digesting Rowan's words. Fabian politely coughs to draw the attention back to him and asks his next question, ”Can you go into any further details, Miss Prince? Several of those present in their witness statements stated that you paused right before, before touching the Triwizard Cup, can you explain to us exactly as to why?”
”I could sense an unnatural magic about it,” Rowan muttered as winced, before shuffling back against her pillows. ”I was close enough that when Igor Kakaroff grabbed the portkey, he grabbed me as well when the portkey began to pull away. When we arrived, we were in some sort of marshland. The portkey didn't work for me, but the minute that Igor put his hands on the Triwizard cup, he was taken away.”
Rowan paused to get a breath before continuing, ”After that, I was running around in the dark avoiding masked figures and someone that they called, Lord Voldemort or at other times. the Dark Lord. I managed to thankfully dodge most of them, but I did come across a pool of Inferi.”
”Inferi!” Scrimgeour roared as Alastor Moody pulled his partner back.
”My apologizes for my partner's rude interruption, please continue,” Alastor briskly said as he gave his partner a warning, but rather pointed look to keep silent for the rest of the interview.
”Somehow, I got desperate enough and I don't know how, but I recalled the apparition exams three rules, which I recalled from briefly reading the pamphlet over for fun: Destination, Determination, Deliberation. Frankly, I really, really wanted to get back to Hogwarts and I did somehow. I'm frankly surprised I arrived all in one piece and that I managed to get through the Hogwarts wards,” Rowan lied with a poker face.
”Hogwarts probably recognized your need,” Fabian muttered out loud. ”There are many recorded events where children in danger have managed to apparate themselves to a place of safety. I'd not be surprised if this was one of those unique cases.”
”Is that all, Miss Prince?” Gideon asked.
”Yes, I have nothing else to tell,” Rowan truthfully declared, which was no lie as she was not planning on saying anything more.
”You were very lucky, Miss Prince,” Fabian said.
”Well, I am Godric Gryffindor's descendant, I'm bound to have some luck,” Rowan drily said out loud. But all the while privately thinking to herself, ”Even if does always run out in the end.”
”That will be all, Miss Prince,” Gideon kindly said.
”Wait, I have one more minute!” Scrimgeour exclaimed. ”Did you recognize anyone during that interval, Miss Prince?”
”I'm afraid not,” Rowan replied. ”They were all wearing masks and I was quite literally running for my life through unknown marshes.”
”That will be all,” Alastor firmly said, before moving away as he dragged Scrimgeour away. Amundsen and Mr. Flint nod their heads at the Prince's, before rushing after the four Auror's.
”Can you release my hand now, Severus?” Rowan asked. ”You're crushing it.”
”Sorry,” Severus grumbled as he loosened his painful grip, but didn't release her hand causing Rowan to sigh and stare in resignation at the ceiling.
Thankfully Madam Pomfrey arrives to her rescue. ”Young man let go of your twin sister this instant! She needs to rest and never mind eat. I understand that you are very worried and are very much relived, but she'll be perfectly safe within the confines of the infirmary. Now go on down to the Slytherin quarters, Professor Slughorn is expecting you.”
”And as for you, Mr. and Madam Prince, there are guest quarters available to you both in the Slytherin quarters,” Madam Pomfrey politely added. ”I can understand your immediate concern, but there is nothing wrong with the young lady in question. She merely needs a good night's rest and shan't have it being stared at all night long!”
Severus reluctantly let's go and is dragged away by Reginald and Georgine Prince. If they were being kicked out, Severus was going to suffer right alongside them. And yes, the Prince's were indeed petty.