Chapter 490 - Haircut…. (1/2)
It was towards the end of June, when Rowan found herself roughly halfway finished with her alchemy formula portion of their assigned summer homework. Despite her continued bout of clumsiness, she'd vastly improved and as such was finally able to complete the assigned formula's. Unlike Severus who was specializing in alchemy potions, she was specializing in the side branch of Spagyric, (plant alchemy).
Dumbledore instead of having her pursue experimentation and potion making was having her read up on Herbology. There were in fact plant breeders among wizarding kind. However, unlike the plant breeders of the muggles of the future who were able to breed plants via genotypes and phenotypes, the wizarding kind were far behind them. Thankfully, the father of plant gene breeding, Gregor Mendel would begin his research and presentation in 1984.
However, since Rowan was already aware of the fact, she was wondering if magically there was a way to magically engineer a plant or to create one. With that purpose in mind, she began to work and recall everything she could about DNA manipulation and that of plant breeding or crossbreeding. She knew that after this year, once they finished working on journeyman level alchemy, the two of them would begin to be working on their mastery projects. It was best to get an idea early on which direction she wished to continue to purse Spargyric.
And thusly her time was spent in his manner until in early July, Rowan received a letter from Andrew Abbot.
”Dear Rowan,
I am presently living with my squib uncle, aunt, and cousins for the summer. I was wondering if you would like to stay for a week or two with us. I am going crazy!
Sincerely,
Your desperate friend,
Andrew Abbot
P.S. The address is 9 Mayfield Road, Cokeworth. PLEASE WRITE BACK!”
Chuckling, Rowan rises from her study desk and makes her way to her grandfather's study. Still holding the letter in hand, she opens the door and peeks inside to find her grandfather furrowing his brow as he read a letter. ”Anything important?” she asked.
”Just a letter from a colleague of sorts,” Reginald carefully replied, which was not a lie. He put the letter away to be reread later into one of his more secure drawers, before turning to ask, ”Well?”
Rowan held out the letter to Reginald for him to take. ”I was invited by Andrew Abbot, a Hufflepuff friend to stay over for a week or two. I thought I might accept since his uncle is a squib and lives in Cokeworth just like Lily. And I would very much like to enjoy a portion of my summer holidays for myself!”
”Before you pen a reply,” Reginald said, ”I'd like to make certain that the home is indeed safeguarded. If it is, you shall be permitted to spend two weeks at their home. I will personally write to said uncle to further inquire of the situation. But knowing the Abbot's, they'd have warded their sons' home for protection.”
”Thank you, grandfather,” Rowan offered him a brilliant smile that made Reginald lips twitch with warmth and in reply.
”No go on, I have matters to attend to,” Reginald sincerely said as he shooed his granddaughter away with his hand. And he did have other important matters to see too. Ones that his grandchildren never need know about it.