Chapter 514 - Topsy-Turvey Manor Ⅱ (1/2)

With the dramatic entrance scene over and done with, Rowan rolls her eyes and murmurs, ”Only you, Terry.”

”Indeed,” Terry smugly answered. ”Not even Malfoy can burst onto a scene with such confidence and flair.”

”Undoubtedly,” Rowan flatly said under her breath.

Tiffany lips twitch into a smile, which cause both Rowan and Terry to silently exchange a glance. Tiffany is undeniably putting on a good face, but she was far from being well like she was pretending. However, neither Rowan nor Terry would be so cruel and callous to so obviously point that out. They were Slytherin's for Heaven's sake, they are cunning and tact! Mostly.

Deciding to subtly change the sudden quite ambiance, Rowan carefully eyes Terry and says, ”Well, I'm impressed. You have grown over the summer, Terry. You look less like some sort of waifish creature and more like a boy.”

Which was true, Terry's voice had deepened, and he lost some of his almost feminine countenance. He would never be very masculine male, but he no longer had that androgynous feel about him. He was slowly turning into a man. Though that delicate air of him would never fade away due to his delicate facial features, floppy hair, and hazel eyes.

”I know,” Terry proudly puffed his nonexistence muscled chest.

”Maybe, you should take up some exercise,” Rowan observed, ”even Severus has lean muscles now-a-days. You don't want to look like a toothpick all your life, Terry, now do you?”

”Why I never?!” Terry gasped and raised his nose rather haughty at her. ”I am a gentleman, and a gentleman does not seek to be such a roguish lout!”

”Suit yourself,” Rowan drily muttered under her breath.

Not that it really mattered. Silvia liked twig Terry just the way he was. And that is all that really mattered in the end.

Tiffany hid her smile at Rowan and Terry's antics until the sound of crashing can be heard. They all glance around and see the wide, frightened gaze of Christopher. ”Sowee!” Christopher said as his eyes begin to fill with tears.

To the girl's surprise, without any hesitation, Terry says, ”Not to worry my good chap, there's plenty of cups. Why here's one.” Terry effortlessly soothes the panicking toddler and serves the little boy another teacup and makes sure to place it close enough to reach, but not enough to cause the cup to be bumped over by a little arm.

”Well color me impressed, Terry,” Rowan admitted. ”Where in Merlin's name did you learn to do that?”

Terry sighs and says, ”I'm the youngest out of five. I have four older sisters all married with children, who do you think gets to babysit them on a regular basis? And especially this summer-,” and paused to cough to cover his murmur under his breath, ”-as punishment.”

With a bit of her usual mischievous grin, Tiffany says, ”Well, in that case, you can raise the children, Terry, while Silvia works at the Ministry.”

Terry turns bright pink as he sputters in embarrassment, before muttering, ”I wouldn't mind.”

Both girls stare at Terry in obvious surprise. It was most uncommon for the husband to stay behind and raise the children, while the wife went out and had a position in society. When it did occur, it was usually due to the husband having some sort of illness or disability that impeded him. Otherwise, it was assumed that perhaps said husband had other s.e.x.u.a.l inclinations or that there was something inherently wrong with him.

Thoughtfully taking a sip of her tea, Rowan carefully pries, ”And your family would be fine with that, Terry?”

”I'm the youngest child and the only male heir,” Terry confidently answered. ”As long as I reproduce, mother and father won't care.”

Rowan makes a chocking sound in her throat as Tiffany nods her head at Terry. ”Well, I think that's rather generous of you, Terry. But don't you want to be a healer?” Tiffany pointedly inquired.

”Yes,” Terry without hesitation replied. ”But I except that-.”