Chapter 502 - Prongs (2/2)

”I came to say sorry, sneaky snake,” James chuckled as the two of them walked over to sit on the porch.

”Sorry?” Rowan asked in confusion. ”Whatever for James? You haven't tried to pull a prank on me since our first year, and much less on Severus after he gave you bat ears during our first year.”

James pointed up at the sky that is rapidly starting to darken from the heavy moving clouds. ”Things are getting far too messy, and you're going to need the help, Rowan. And besides, it really was all my own fault.”

”What was your fault?” Rowan asked in obvious bewilderment.

”I shouldn't have been flying on my broom in the middle of the storm,” James sheepishly said. ”I fell off my broom and not only clonked my head hard enough to crack my skull, but I got a really bad fever too.”

”Are you okay?” Rowan worriedly asked.

”I am now,” James ruefully smiled. ”But sorry in advance, it looks like I won't be able to keep my promise after all.”

”About what?”

”About telling Lily, my feelings without any interference.”

”Whatever are you talking about, Prongs? You are right here in Cokeworth. Lily only lives a fifteen-minute walk from here.”

”I know, but I won't be me anymore.”

”Whatever do you mean, James? You have been talking in nothing but riddles. And that is so unlike you, you're a Gryffindor for bloody sakes!”

”I know,” James chuckled as he stared at the rapidly thickening sky with dark, heavy clouds. The sunlight suddenly vanished as the sky became all but dark. A storm was coming.

A rumble of thunder can be heard in the distance as the storm draws nearer. A cool, strong gust of wind begins to pick up as James rises to his feet and turns towards Rowan. ”Thanks for being such a good friend, Rowan. I really was happy to have met you,” James pulls her into a tight hug as Rowan in serious concern for her friend finds herself returning the hug.

Pulling back, James chuckles and impishly says, ”You know, I just know that I'm always going to be shorter than you.”

James paused with a wicked gleam in his eye. ”I'm surprised you didn't even say anything when my face was almost buried in your chest, Rowan? You know, they're not that small anymore.”

Rowan's ears turn bright pink as she hisses, ”Perverted prick, you've got Lily! Get your mind out of the gutter!”

James flashes her a cheeky grin, before that quickly fades away. Turning away, he points at the clouds overhead that are threatening to rain down. ”Stay safe, Rowan,” James quietly said, before sending her a wistful, sad smile. ”I really am sorry, Rowan. And please look out for Wormtail for me and the rest of the gang.”

”Wait, what are you talking about?” Rowan loudly asked in confusion as she frowned at James's words. It was so unlike him. Whatever did he mean by his words? It was like he was going to leave.

Rowan unconsciously takes a step forward to reach out to stop him, but James had already stepped off the porch and out into the storm. Rowan opened her mouth to call out to him as he stepped into the middle of the road when James turned around to face her. An emotionally charged smile was on his face as he closed his eyes and pointed up at the sky.

Rowan raised her gaze to the heavily clouded gloomy sky but saw nothing. Suddenly, she sees something yellow, blue, purple rumble in the sky. In a horrified, slow motions she moves to shout as a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens and struck him.

Rowan woke up shouting and sat up straight in bed wildly gasping. With her heart pounding, and her mouth dry, she wildly glances all around to find that it was still dark outside. Glancing at the alarm clock at her side, the clock reads 5:15 in the morning. Wiping the cold sweat off her face with her sleeve, she mutters out loud, ”What a strange dream.”

Trying to put the unease out of sight and out of mind, Rowan climbs out of bed and decides to get ready early. A nice cool shower out to put her mind at rest. She probably just ate too much last night. That was probably just it. However, she had failed to notice that the moonstone pendant that she had gone to sleep with clutched in her hand had completely disappeared without a trace.