Chapter 547 - Not again! (1/2)

In the following days, neither Rowan nor Severus mentioned the events of that ill-fated day. Much like Severus never asked questions about Rowan's nightmares, neither did Rowan ask Severus about his feelings again. They both respected each other boundaries and treaded carefully around them. The most Rowan would do is sit with Severus in silence and give him a hug. And for them that was more than enough for it was what they had always done.

That and Rowan was basically his punching bag when dueling, and Severus apparently had a lot of pent up rage. In fact, Reginald was so impressed that he ceased to prod Severus to take his twin sister serious but rather on how to use his bloodthirst to overwhelm his opponent. Though she would rather have not been Severus's emotional outlet.

On a warm afternoon, Rowan walked down the hallway towards Severus's bedroom. She had convinced their grandfather to allow the two of them to visit Diagon Alley for their school supplies. She was a tad worried about her twin brother and wanted to at least get him out of the house for a bit.

Reginald must have been concerned about Severus's recently depressed state that he had permitted the excursion with the promise that the two of them would cast a glamor of disguise. Not wanting to be mobbed by reporters, Rowan happily agreed to the condition and left the study in search of Severus.

Rowan almost spoke as she came to a halt at the entrance of Severus's bedroom. However, the words died in her mouth as she stared at Severus from beyond his open bedroom door. A pained expression could be seen on his face as he cradled the precious vial filled a with molten gold liquid that had tiny droplets leaping about inside merrily in dance.

Closing his eyes with regret, Severus's grip almost seems to want to crush the tightly held vial in his grasp. With a bone-weary sigh, he opened his eyes and carefully put the vial of Felix Felicis away inside his trunk. Maybe, if he had drunk the vial before confessing to Lily, she would have said yes.

But Severus also knew that he would forever have wondered if Lily had only accepted his feelings because of a luck potion. Or worse yet, what if even with all the luck in the world she would have still said, no? He did not think, he'd ever able to live down the loss. In the end, it was better this way.

Hearing loud footsteps coming down the hall, Severus straightens back up to see Rowan appear in his doorway. ”What?” Severus huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. ”I told you that I'm fine.”

Rowan pretended that she had not seen his previous actions and instead crisply says, ”Grandfather said, since we are Prefect's, it would be fine if we went to Diagon Alley within the next two days for our school supplies.”

”Really? ”Grandfather said it was fine, if the two of us went all alone?” Severus suspiciously said. ”I find that hard to believe. You didn't say anything did you, Rowan?”

”I didn't so much speak a word on the subject,” Rowan truthfully said. ”Scout's honor.”

”You've never been a boy scout,” Severus grumbled.

Rowan shrugged. ”Does it really matter?” Severus's expression clearly stated otherwise.

”Either way, grandfather's only condition is that we wear a glamor or transfiguration for a disguise,” Rowan matter-of-factly stated.

Severus's face slightly brightens up at those words. He was able to fully completely transform now if he wanted too. However, such a complete magical transformation severely taxed his strength, and he could not do so for more than an hour. It was better to do a partial transformation and he would be able to withstand the magical drain for almost a whole day's time.

”Fine, we'll go out early tomorrow,” Severus said not noticing Rowan's face slightly pale. She really did not want to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Lily would be there with James and Sirius.

Deciding to not ruin Severus's rare, good mood, Rowan kept quiet on the subject and instead busied herself with reading. Hopefully as long as they kept on task everything would be fine in the end. However, she knew that she was probably hoping in vain. Murphy's law always seemed to appear in these types of situations, ”Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

Early the next morning, Severus and Rowan set out for Diagon Alley. Severus had easily transfigured his features with his wand, now, a blond with sea-green eyes. While Rowan cast an illusion glamor upon herself to give herself mousy brown hair and freckles.